lEx  iCtbrtB 


SEYMOUR  DURST 


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Avery  Architectural  and  Fine  Arts  Library 
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http://archive.org/details/historyofmunicipOObroo 


H  ISTORY 

OF  THE 


AND 

OTHEI|  PUBLIC  BUILDI[(GS, 

IN  THE 

CITY  OF  BROOKLYN. 


PUBLISHED    BY    THE    COMMON  COUNCIL. 
■     18  7  8. 


lEx  ffilthrtfi 


SEYMOUR  DURST 


-f  '  Tort  nie^iu/  ^dm^trj^m  oj^  Je  MatJtatan^ 


When  you  leave,  please  leave  this  hook 

Because  it  has  heen  said 
" Sver'thing  comes  t'  him  who  waits 

£y:cept  a  loaned  book." 


r  ^ 


COMPLIMENTS  OF 

F.  B.  FISHER. 


HISTORY 


OP  THE 


|[untd|jal  jljcprtmcttt  Ijuilding, 


AND 


Other  Public  Buildings 


IN  THE 


CITY  OF  BROOKLYN. 


I»TJ"BLISE3:H3ID    bit     TiiE!     COlSdIlVIOJSr  COTTNCIL. 

1878. 


1876— '77- 

MAYOR,      -      -      -    FREDERICK  A.  SCIIROEDER. 

1878- 

MAYOR,    ------    JAMES  HOWELL. 


ALDERMEN  IN  CHARGE  OF  CONSTRUCTION  OF 
MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 

1  876. — yrcm  S^elntary  ZStJi  to  fune  rsth. 

JOHN  FKENCH, 
FEANCIS  B.  FISHEK, 
WILLIAM  H.  MURTHA. 

1  876. — yrom  //line  r?lh  to  ^&ce»iier  31  st. 

JOHN  FRENCH, 
FRANCIS  B.  FISHER, 
WILLIAM  H.  MURTHA, 
GEORGE  W.  WILLIAMS, 
GEORGE  JENNISON. 

1  87  7. — yrcm  ,fa7iuarij  rst  to  Sfpril  9th. 

JOHN  FRENCH, 
FRANCIS  B.  FISHER, 
WILLIAM  H.  MURTHA, 
GEORGE  W.  WILLIAMS, 
GEORGE  JENNISON. 

1  877. — S/rom  S4pril  0th  to  §Jecemler  37 st. 

JOHN  FRENCR, 
FRANCIS  B.  FISHER, 
GEORGE  W.  WILLIAMS, 
GEORGE  JENNISON, 
JAMES  DONOVAN. 

1878. — 3^rom  .fnnuanj  rst  to  ''S^oinjjletion  of  Worli. 

JOHN  FRENCH, 
FRANCIS  B.  FISHER, 
GEORGE  W.  WILLIAMS, 
JOHN  DREYER, 
DANIEL  O'REILLY. 


To  the  Ilonornlle  the  Common  Council: 


Gentlemen  : 

The  Aldermen  who  liave  been  entrusted  with  the  eonsl  ruction 
of  a  new  Municipal  Department  Building,  in  submitting  the  result 
of  their  labors  in  that  belialf  to  the  authority  which  conferred 
upon  them  tliat  duty,  deem  it  an  obligation,  as  it  assuredly  is  a 
pleasure,  to  place  l)erore  you  a  complete  history  of  the  proceed- 
ings had  in  connection  tlierewith,  a  detailed  statement  of  the  ex- 
penditures, and  a  ti;ll  descriptive  account  of  the  structure.  In 
connection  therewith  we  furnish  some  interesting  statistics,  not 
before  published,  concerning  the  City  Hall  and  other  public 
buildings. 

The  new  building  is  now  completed,  so  far  as  it  was  originally 
intended  it  should  be.  We  are  gratified  to  be  able  to  state  th;it 
in  spite  of  unforeseen  delays  its  construction  is  accomplished  with- 
in the  time  desirable  to  meet  the  requirements  of  the  respective 
Departments,  and  within  the  amount  originally  appropriated. 

We  are  confident  that  it  is  one  the  best  public  buildings  in  this 
country  considering  the  amount  of  money  expended,  and  that  it 
is  well  adapted  to  the  purposes  for  which  it  was  erected. 

In  closing  an  active  participation  in  its  constrnction,  we  desire 
to  express  our  warm  appreciation  of  the  uniform  confidence  re- 
posed in  us  by  your  Board,  and  by  the  respective  Mayors  under 
whose  jurisdiction  we  have  officiated. 


6 


MUNICll'AL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


We  respectfully  ask  your  careful  examination  of  the  accompa- 
nying Report,  prepared,  under  <.)ur  direction,  ]>y  one  of  our  num- 
ber— Alderman  F.  B.  Fisher. 

Respectfully  submitted. 

JOHN  FRENCH  (Cliairman), 
F.  B.  FISHER, 
GEO.  W.  WILLIAMS, 
JOHN  UREYER, 
DANIEL  O'REILLY, 
Aldermen  in  charge  of  Construction  of 

Municipal  Department  Building. 


Brooklyn,  June,  1878. 


H1ST0I[Y  OF  THE  PUBLIC  BUlLDIt(GS. 


 o  

III  seeking-  fur  inforinution  to  enable  comparisons  to  be  insti- 
tuted between  the  work  of  which  this  document  is  designed  to  be 
a  record,  and  the  pubhc  buildings  erected  in  former  years  in 
the  city  of  Brooklyn,  it  was  found  that  the  official  records 
contained  but  little  information  concerning  the  construction  of 
the  City  Hall  and  other  public  structures.  There  were  no  printed 
Minutes  at  the  period  at  which  the  City  Hall  was  erected,  and 
many  of  tlie  meetings  of  the  Common  Council  in  relation  thereto 
were  held  in  secret  session,  the  proceedings  of  which  are  not  re- 
corded. The  press  of  those  days,  in  marked  contrast  to  the 
present,  scarcely  mentioned  the  fact  of  the  erection  of  the  build- 
ing, or  clironicled  the  incidents  connected  thei'ewith,  though  there 
were  many  of  an  exciting  and  stirring  character.  It  was  tliere- 
fore  deemed  advisable,  while  perpetuating  the  history  of  tlie  new 
Municipal  Department  Building,  to  rescue  from  oblivion,  while 
some  of  the  participants  were  yet  living,  as  many  facts  concern- 
ing the  City  Hall  as  were  to  be  secured  at  so  remote  a  period 
from  its  construction. 

The  valuable  and  detailed  information  herewith  presented  on 
that  subject  has  only  been  accumulated  after  much  research 
among  nmsty  books  and  documents,  and  many  interviews  with 
some  of  the  men  who  were  actively  connected  with  public  affairs 
tifty  or  more  years  ago.    Among  these  may  be  named  Hon. 


8 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


Henry  C.  Mukphy,  Hon.  Samuel  S.  Powell,  IJoii.  Stephen 
Haynes,  Alden  J.  Spooner,  Esq.,  J.  D.  Lawrence,  Esq.,  Hon. 
Francis  B.  Stryker,  and  Silas  Ludlam,  Esq. 

]\Iucli  credit  is  due  John  Yates,  Esq.,  for  valual)le  aid  in  com- 
piling and  arranging  these  facts  and  figures.  So  far  as  relates 
to  tlie  City  Hall  and  its  antecedents,  J.  M.  Masterton,  Esq.,  of 
Mount  Vernon,  N.  Y. ,  son  of  one  of  the  contractors  for  tlie 
marble  work  of  the  City  Hall,  and  himself  the  contractor  for  the 
marble  work  of  the  new  Municipal  Building,  also  furnished  some 
interesting  figures,  taken  from  his  father's  books  and  papers. 

This  is  believed  to  be  the  first  record  of  any  moment  concern- 
ing this  sul)ject,  and  it  is  published  with  a  hope  that  it  may  prove 
of  interest  to  the  present  and  future  generations. 


A 


MUNICIPAL  DErARTMENT  BLflLDING. 


9 


THE  EARLY  MUNICIPAL  BUILDINGS. 

Al)out  half  a  century  ago  the  vilhxge  of  Brooklyn  had  for  its 
local  representative  body  a  board  of  five  Trnstees,  and  its  ]\[uni- 
cipal  Building  was  a  grocery  store,  on  the  east  side  of  Fulton 
street,  near  the  ferry  house,  owned  by  Evert  Baukeloo,  and 
opposite  the  preseiit  offices  of  the  Brooklyn  Daily  Eagle. 

The  Municipal  history  of  Brooklyn  commences  witli  the  incor- 
poration of  the  village  in  1816,  when  it  had  a  population  of 
4-,500.  At  tliat  time  the  village  comprised  the  area  eml)raced 
by  the  East  Rivei-,  District  Street,  ( nearly  the  same  as  the  pre- 
sent Atlantic  Street,)  u])  to  Red  Hook  Lane,  and  a  line  drawn 
from  Red  Hook  Lane  to  tlie  City  Park,  and  tlicnce  along  the 
west  side  of  the  Navy  Yard  to  tlie  river. 

In  1825-6  tlie  Apprentices'  Library  was  erected  and  soon  l)e- 
came  the  centre  of  all  the  public  business  of  the  villnge  and 
county.  The  meetings  of  the  trustees  were  immediately  held  in 
that  building,  and  eontinued  to  be  so  iintil  the  incorporation  of 
the  city  in  1834,  when  the  Common  Council  held  its  sessions 
there  until  the  completion  of  the  City  Hall.  But  the  offices  of 
the  Mayor,  Clerk  of  the  Common  Council,  and  Street  Commis- 
sioner were,  on  the  incorporation  of  the  city,  first  kept  in  Hall's 
Exchange  Building,  a  tlii-ee  story  brick  structure,  erected  by 
George  Hall,  on  the  southwest  corner  of  Cranberry  and  Fulton 
streets,  and  destroyed  in  the  great  fire  of  1848. 

When  the  town  and  village  of  Brooklyn  were  united  under  one 
government  in  1834,  the  population  of  the  city  was  23,310  ;  and 
George  Hall,  who  had  been  president  of  the  Board  of  Trustees, 
was,  on  May  20th  of  that  year,  by  the  Board  of  Aldermen  ap- 
pointed the  first  j\Iayor. 

2 


10 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


More  room  for  tlie  city  goveriuiieiit  offices  was  imperatively 
needed  by  1836,  and  in  that  year  the  corporation  purchased  for 
$11,000,  from  tlie  Apprentices'  Library  Association,  the  Appren- 
tices' Library  Building.  It  was  a  neat  two  story  and  basement 
bri(!k  buihling,  at  the  soutliwest  corner  of  Henry  and  Cranberry 
streets,  the  corner  stone  of  which  liad  been  h^id  on  July  4,  1825, 
by  General  Lafayette. 

Tlie  city  having  thus  l)ecome  the  owner  of  the  Apprentices' 
Library  Building  (that  institution  l)eing  merged  in  the  Brook- 
lyn Institute,  on  Washington  street),  erected  an  additional  build- 
ing in  the  rear  of  the  Library,  and  gave  the  whole  the  name  of 
the  City  Buildings,  to  vphich  the  officies  of  the  Mayor,  Clerk  of 
the  Comm(jn  Council,  and  Street  Commissioner,  were  removed  in 
1836-37. 

Besides  the  sessions  of  the  Village  Trustees,  those  of  the  Cir- 
cuit Court,  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  and  the  Municipal  Court 
of  Brooklyn,  were  held  in  the  Apprentices'  Library.  In  the  base- 
ment at  the  same  time  were  the  offices  of  the  County  Clerk  and 
the  Brooklyn  Savings  Bank.  One  of  our  eminent  citizens,  Henry 
C.  MuKPHY,  in  1834,  opened  an  office  in  the  building,  and  there 
began  the  practice  of  the  law. 

Between  1825  and  1836  the  population  of  Brooklyn  had  in- 
creased from  8,800  to  25,000. 

The  removal  into  the  City  Buildings  at  the  intersection  of 
llem-y  and  Cranberry  streets  was  only  a  temporary  expedient,  as 
two  years  previously — in  July,  1834 — a  public  meeting  had  been 
held,  over  which  Mayor  Hall  presided,  and  a  resolution  passed  to 
purchase  the  triangular  piece  of  land  on  which  the  City  Hall  is 
built.  It  contained  an  acre  and  a  half,  and  cost  $52,909,  as  ap- 
pears from  the  following  transcript  of  the  deeds  and  release  of 
dower : 


MUNICIPAL  DEBAETMENT  BUILDING. 


11 


Edwakd  Rkmsen  and  wife,         J  ^'''^^ dated  Marj  h  1835. 

I    itecorded  in  Liber  4y, 
^0  f    jmge   490,   May  16, 

The  Mayou,  etc.,  of  the  City  of  (  Acknowledged 

I    May  16,  1835.  Cuns. 
Brooklyn.  1    $20,955  00. 


Sarah  Remsen,  Guardian  of  Ma- 
tilda V.  Remsen, 
To 

The  Mayor,  etc.,  of  the  City  of^ 
Brooklyn. 


Deed  dated  May  1,  1835. 
Recorded  in  JJher  49, 
page  49 B.  Acknowl- 
edged May  16,  1835. 
Cons.  $20,362.80. 


Hezekiah  B.  Pierrepont  and  y^\i^i\D'^'id   dated  ^{^i'/ 

I  1835.    liecoi'ded  jAoer 

To                         f  50,  page  23,  May  20, 

m       n--           ^                               I  1835.  Acknoioledqed 

The  Mayor,  etc.,  of  the  City  of  I  ^r-    ^n  iq.j- 

'       '                            I  J/^?/  19,  183o.  (Jons. 

Brooklyn.                                 \  $ii;59o.20. 


Sarah  Remsen,  )  Ii<ilease  of  Doxcer  dated 

I     May  1,  1835.  Re- 
To  r      corded  Uhtr  49,  page 

The  Mayor,  etc.,  of  the  City  of  I     ^f^,  31ay  16,  1835 

I     Acknowledged  May  9, 
Brooklyn.  1     lg35_    ^^^^^  ^^  ^^^^ 


12 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAllTMENT  BUILDING. 


TI/i:  CITY  HALL. 

The  laiul  liaving  been  secured,  tlie  corner  stone  of  a  City  Hall 
was  laid  on  April  2Sth,  1836,  by  the  Mayor,  Jonathan  Tkottek. 

It  is  evident  that  at  that  early  period  of  the  city's  history,  as 
sanguine  a  spirit  prevailed  as  in  subsequent  years,  when  costly 
parks  and  boidevards  wei'e  made — as  unbounded  a  faith  in  the 
growth  and  prosperity  of  this  community ;  for  the  City  Hall, 
constructed  of  marble,  and  planned  on  a  magnificent  scale  from 
the  designs  of  Calvin  Pollaud  of  New  York  City,  was  intended 
to  cover  nearly  the  whole  of  the  land  of  which  the  city  had  ob- 
tained possession.  Its  dimensions  were  269  feet  on  Fulton  street, 
250  feet  on  Court  Street,  and  222  feet  on  Joralemon  street.  Of  a 
triangular  form,  it  was  to  have  had  porticos  on  the  three  fronts,  with 
columns  each  36  feet  6  inches  high,  ornamented  with  a  capital  of 
the  Grecian  order,  and  resting  on  a  pedestal  base  17  feet  in  height. 
Surmounting  the  angles,  it  was  designed  to  have  domes,  and,  rising 
from  the  centre  of  the  building,  a  tower  12.5  feet  high.  In  its 
spacious  rooms  all  of  the  public  offices  and  courts  would  have 
been  accommodated.  Its  cost  was  estimated  at  from  $750,000 
to  $1,000,000. 

The  records  of  the  citv  ":overnment  throw  but  little  liii'lit  on 
the  methods  pursued  in  the  construction  of  that  building ;  and 
in  matters  of  detail,  particularly  tinancial  ones,  they  are  singu- 
larly deficient. 

It  appears  from  the  records  of  the  City  Clerk's  Office,  that  on 
May  25,  1835,  the  Conmion  Council  Committee  on  Public 
Lands  and  Buildings  was  authorized  to  procure  the  plans,  and  on 
September  3d,  1835,  the  lioard  met  in  secret  r-ession  to  consider 
those  which  had  been  received.    Unable  to  agree,  am^ther  secret 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAKTMENT  BUILDING. 


13 


meeting  was  held  un  the  Ttli  ul' Se|)teiiiber,  and  frum  the  tive  plans 
which liad been  procured,  it  selected  that  of  Pollaku  and  Johnson 
as  the  best,  and  awarded  preniinnis  for  those  of  Gamaliel  King 
and,  T.  Thomas  &  Son.  Three  weeks  afterwards,  the  plans 
of  Calvin  Pollard  were  adopted,  and  on  the  3d  of  November  it 
was  formally  determined  to  build  a  City  Hall,  the  Comniittee  on 
Public  Lands  and  Buildini-s  bein";  at  the  same  time  authorized  to 
make  contracts  for  purchasing  the  marble  of  \vhi(;h  its  walls  were 
to  be  built.  Early  in  the  year  following,  183G,  contracts  for 
marble  delivered  on  the  site  were  made  with  Mastkkton  et  Smith 
amounting  to  $271,600. 

The  corner  stone  was  laid  on  April  28,  and  the  walls,  up  to  the 
first  story,  were  built.  Then  came  the  commercial  panic  of  1837, 
and  the  city  authorities,  yielding  to  the  pressure  of  public  opin- 
ion, and  alarmed  at  the  prospective  outlay,  caused  the  work  to  be 
suspended.  On  January  22,  1838,  the  covering  up  of  the  walls 
at  an  expense  of  $(?.95  was  reported  by  the  Committee  on  Public 
Lands  and  Buildings.  The  expenses  incurred  up  to  that  time, 
as  appears  by  the  records  of  the  Finance  Department,  were  as 
follows : 


Preliminary  to  making  atiother  attempt  to  liuild  a  City  Hall,  a 
resolution  was  introduced  in  the  Common  Council  which  it  is 
proper  to  notice.  Alderman  Thokxe,  in  April,  LS38,  moved — as 
upwards  of  $150,000  had  been  already  spent  on  a  building 
scarcely  raised  above  the  grouiid,  and  as  it  was  inexpedient  to 
build  a  City  tiall  upon  such  an  expensive  plan — "  That  all  further 
work  on  the  said  building  be  discontinued,  and  that  it  be  referred 


Cost  of  the  site.  . 
Cost  of  the  walls 


$52,909  00 
131,585  00 


Total 


$181,191  00 


14 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


to  tlie  Coiuniittee  on  Public  Lands  and  Buildings  to  ascertain 
what  price  can  be  obtained  for  the  materials  on  the  ground,  and 
upon  what  terms  the  contracts  for  the  present  City  Hall  can  be 
annulled." 

1'liis  resolution  was  laid  on  the  table  by  a  vote  of  eight  to  six, 
and  the  subsequent  action  of  the  Board  in  regard  to  its  contents 
does  not  appear.  The  Minutes  show  that  up  to  June,  1837,  the 
value  of  the  marl^le  delivered  by  Masterton  &  Smith,  the  con- 
tractors, was  $42,445,  which  sum  was  paid,  with  interest  amount- 
ing to  $099.24. 

During  those  3'ears  the  increase  of  the  city  in  all  the  elements 
of  prosperity  was  little  short  of  marvelous.  Its  population,  which 
in  1840  was  36,233,  had  risen  to  59,573  in  1S45,  and  the  munici- 
pal ofhces  were  still  confined  to  the  premises  known  as  the  City 
Buildings. 

In  August,  1844,  the  Connnon  Council,  "in  view  of  the  increase 
of  the  public  business  of  the  city,  and  the  great  insecurity  and 
want  of  proper  accommodation  in  the  present  City  Buildings," 
directed  the  Committee  on  Lands  and  Places  "to  procure  suitable 
plans  and  estimates  for  the  erection  of  a  City  Hall,  to  be  located 
on  the  public  property  at  the  junction  of  Court  and  Fulton  streets, 
at  a  cost  not  exceeding  $75,000,'"  and  report  them  to  the  Board. 

Accordingly,  the  committee  procured  the  plans,  and  in  due 
time  submitted  them  to  the  Common  Council ;  but  in  the  selec- 
tion of  an  architect  the  Aldermen  found  it  extremely  dithcult  to 
agree.  Again,  in  several  secret  sessions,  were  the  merits  of  the 
plans  discussed.  At  last  those  of  Mr.  Ranlett  were  chosen.  So 
strong,  however,  were  the  antagonisms  which  existed,  that  at  a 
subsequent  meeting,  also  held  in  secret,  this  action  was  recon- 
sidered, and  by  a  majority  of  one  vote  the  plans  of  Gamaliel 
King  were  substituted.   Although  few  of  these  facts  api)ear  in  the 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAETMENT  BUILDING. 


15 


Minutes,  tlie  following  does  appear  under  date  of  Nov.  10,  1845; 
and  in  view  of  the  full  publicity  given  to  all  the  proceedings  of 
this  body  at  the  present  time,  it  is  worth  preserving : 

"  liesoloed.  That  the  injunction  of  secrecy  in  relation  to  the 
matter  of  the  City  Hall  be  removed.  Adopted." 

Two  weeks  afterward,  on  November  2-lth,  1845,  a  report  is 
found  from  the  special  committee  authorized  to  make  the  con- 
tracts for  building  the  City  Hall.  In  this  report,  the  committee 
declare  as  follows : 

"  They  have  given  the  matter  that  careful  attention  which 
its  great  importance  demands.  They  have  taken  into  considera- 
tion the  settlement  of  the  claim  of  Messrs.  Masterton  &  Smith, 
and  have  i-cceived  from  them  an  estimate  for  the  mai-ble  and 
setting,  which  is  five  thousand  dollars  less  than  any  other  esti- 
mate received. 

"  The  Committee  have  also  received  several  estimates  for  the 
mason  work  and  materials,  the  carpenter  work  and  materials,  and 
for  the  iron  work,  and,  after  careful  consideration,  have  decided 
to  give  the  contracts  to  the  following  persons,  viz. : 


"Masterton  &  Smith,  marble  and  setting   $91,240  00 

"Thomas  S.  Denike,  mason  work   18,900  00 

"Leonard  Cooper,  carpenter's  work   17,975  00 

"  Samuel  Congdon,  iron  work   9,570  00 


"Total  cost  of  the  Imilding  $137,685  00 


"  We  give  to  Messrs.  Masterton  &  Smith  in  addi- 
tion to  the  sum  above  stated   $8,760  00 

"  Of  this  amount  they  pay  to  Kain  &  Morgan  for 

marble  delivered,  which  the  city  was  bound  to  pay.  .  2,169  00 


"  Making  the  sum  which  we  pay  Masterton  & 
Smith,  to  relinquish  the  former  contract,  but   $6,591  00 


"  Your  committee  would  further  report  that  they  have  made 
arrangements  with  G.  King,  Esq.,  to  superintend  the  erection  of 


16 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


the  building ;  for  sndi  services,  and  for  tlie  drawing  of  tlie  plans, 
the  sections,  and  the  working  plans  he  is  to  receive  a  compensa- 
tion of  $2,000. 

"  Yonr  connnittee  believe  it  to  be  necessary  to  have  a  competent 
mason  to  superintend  that  department  of  the  work,  and  recom- 
mend tlie  Board  to  authorize  the  committee  to  employ  such  a  per- 
son, at  a  compensation  not  to  exceed  three  dollars  per  day,  for  such 
days  only  as  the  masons  are  actxially  at  work." 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  amount  of  the  contract  with  ]\Iaster- 
TuN  A:  Smith,  and  the  city's  acknowledged  indebtedness  to  them, 
was  a  round  $100,(100.  The  extra  sum  of  $8,760  was  agreed 
upon  as  a  compromise  of  the  suit  brought  hy  Mastertox  tfe 
Smith  against  the  city  for  $72,999  for  damages  by  breach  of  con- 
tract, ■which  had  been  carried  into  the  higher  courts.  While  the 
suit  was  pending  ]\L\stehton  &  Smith,  on  June  13,  1845,  pro- 
posed to  the  Common  Council  to  receive  the  sum  of  $26,744.43  for 
profits  on  the  work,  not  pertbiiiu'd,  of  Imilding  the  City  Hall, 
and  for  materials  received  but  not  used  ;  they  also  asked  to  be 
indemnified  against  the  claims  of  Francis  Kain  and  Abuah 
AI()U(!AN,  of  whom  they  had  bought  the  marble.  These  facts  are 
not  entered  in  the  Minutes,  but  it  is  evident  they  formed  the  basis 
of  the  final  agreement,  as  set  forth  in  the  report.  The  city  au- 
thorities also,  on  January  2,  1846,  executed  an  indemnit}-  bond 
in  the  sum  of  $100,000,  signed  by  TiioMAS  G.  Talma(!E,  Mayor, 
to  hold  ]\Iasteutox  S:  Smith  harndess  against  any  action  brought 
by  Kain  efe  ]\Iougan  against  Masterton  tfe  Smith  for  breach  of 
contract. 

The  mason  employe<l  by  the  connnittee  was  Stephen  Uatnes, 
imder  whose  superintendence  work  on  the  walls  of  the  first 
building  was  also  done.  On  the  24th  of  November,  1S45.  the 
Common  Council  i-esolved  to  apply  to  the  Legislature  for  author- 
ity to  raise  $100,000  to  meet  the  payments  on  account  of  the 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


17 


contracts  lor  the  now  building.    At  a  meeting  lield  on  Oc^tober  2, 

1848,  the  Board  made  a  similar  application  for  authority  to  raise 
$50,000. 

In  1845,  the  demolition  of  the  walls  and  tlie  erection  of 
the  present  City  Hall  was  bognn.  It  is  a  three  story  and  base- 
ment building,  175  feet  long,  the  rear  running  parallel  with  Jo- 
ralemon  street,  and  the  sides  on  Fulton  and  Court  streets  having 
a  width  of  100  feet. 

Towards  the  close  of  1848,  when  the  munici})al  offices  began  to 
1)e  transferred  from  the  Apprentices'  Library  Buildings  to  the 
City  HaW,  the  population  of  the  city  had  increased  to  upwards  of 
90,000,  and  the  business  of  the  city  government  departments  had 
also  very  materially  increased.    The  City  Hall  was  finished  in 

1849,  daring  the  mayoralty  of  Francis  B.  Stryker,  and  when  the 
city,  with  a  population  of  100,000,  was  divided  into  nine  wards, 
comprising  the  whole  of  what  is  now  known  as  the  Western  District. 


EXPENDITURES  ON  THE  CITY  HALL. 

The  cost  of  the  City  Hall  may  be  divided  into  the  following 
items,  which  are  all  it  is  possible  now  to  obtain  : 

Land  for  the  site   $52,909  00 

Walls  of  the  first  building   131,585  00 

Claim  of  Masterton  &  Smith,  contractors   8,760  00 

Removal  of  old  walls,  erection  of  City  Hall  and  iron  >  ..^^^  '-4g  qq 

fenc-e  around  the  park,  furnishing,  heating,  etc. .  )  '  ' 

Total   $;715,0C0  00 

3 


18 


MUNIClI'AL  DErARTMENT  BUILDING. 


The  following  transcript  from  the  books  of  the  Finance  De- 
partment sliows  when  the  sevei-al  loans  were  raised  to  meet  the 
payments  as  they  became  due : 

$200,000 — Authorized  by  an  Act  of  the  Legislature  passed  April 
23,  1835.  Session  Laws,  chap.  129,  page  127.  Paid 
in  full  July  1,  1855. 

100,000— Authorized  by  amendment  to  Act  April  23,  1835, 
passed  April  12,  1837.  Session  Laws,  chap.  2G3,  sec. 
20,  page  281.    Taid  July  1,  1857.  . 

200, OOr— Issued  July  1,  1838.    Paid  in  full  July  1,  1858. 

50,000— Authorized  by  an  Act  of  the  Legislature  passed  May 
14,  1845.  Session  Laws,  chap.  362,  sec.  4,  page  436. 
Paid  $10,000  in  each  of  the  years  1856,  1857,  1858, 
1859,  and  1860. 


100,000 — Authorized  by  an  Act  of  the  Legislature  passed  May 

9,  1846.  Session  Laws,  chap.  166.  Paid  $10,000  in 
each  of  the  years  1861,  '62,  '63,  '64,  '65,  '66,  '67,  '68, 
'69,  and  '70. 

50,000 — Authorized  by  an  Act  of  the  Legislature  passed  March 

10,  1849.  Session  Laws,  chap.  85,  page  124.  Paid 
$10,000  in  each  of  the  years  '72,  '73,  '74,  '75,  and 
'76. 

15,000 — Authorized  by  an  Act  of  the  Legislature  passed  Feb- 
ruary 23,  1850.  Session  Laws,  chap.  23,  sees.  1  and 
2.    Paid  January  1,  1875. 


$715,000 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


19 


THE  COURT  HOUSE. 

Upon  the  completion  of  the  City  Hall,  such  of  the  courts  as 
liad  survived  tlie  constitution  of  1846  were  removed  with  tlie 
city  offices  to  that  building.  In  1855,  when  the  cities  of  Brook- 
lyn and  Williamsburg  and  tlie  town  of  Busliwick  were  united  un- 
der one  municipal  governinent,  the  population  of  tlie  city,  thus 
enlarged,  exceeded  200,000.  For  several  years  previous  the 
question  of  erecting  a  Court  House,  for  the  accommodation  of  the 
courts  and  county  officers,  had  been  agitated.  As  early  as  June, 
1853,  an  Act  was  passed  authorizing  the  borrowing  of  $100,000 
for  such  a  building.  It  was  not,  however,  until  May  20,  1862, 
that  the  corner-stone  of  the  Court  House  was  laid.  In  March, 
1865,  the  building  was  completed  and  furnished,  and  the  Supreme 
Court,  City  Court,  County  Court  and  Court  of  Sessions,  the  Su- 
pervisors, and  other  county  officers,  were  located  therein.  The 
cost  of  the  site  and  building,  complete,  was  as  follows  : 


John  Schenck,  for  site   $70,000  00 

William  Ilannigan,  mason  work   91,610  00 

J.  H.  Magill,  marble  work   73,853  00 

Architectural  Iron  Works   114,622  27 

Alexander  Edwards,  granite  work   17,139  16 

Close  &  Miller,  carpenter  work   30,274  24 

Gold  &  Co.,  heating  and  ventilating   17,105  93 

John  Butler,  gas-piping   1,890  00 

Bryan  &  Co.,  plumbing   7,483  27 

Wolff,  Supervisors' Eoom   4,221  00 

Alexander  Anderson,  paving,  etc   14,051  40 

Furnishing,  flagging,  etc   86,411  09 

Abram  Allen,  Jr.,  brick  walls   $2,795  00 

King  &  Teckritz,  architects   15,180  07 


Total  $549,636  43 


20 


MUNICIPxVL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


TEE  MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENTS. 

The  accommodations  provided  by  the  erection  of  the  City 
Hall  and  Court  House  soon  proved  inadequate  to  the  require- 
ments of  the  municipal  departments.  The  population  ot"  the 
city  had  increased  to  482,493  in  1875,  and  for  a  long  time  pre- 
vious several  of  the  departments  were  flitting  from  place  to 
place  in  search  of  more  room  in  which  to  transact  their  part  of 
the  public  business. 

The  headquarters  of  the  Police  Department,  prior  to  1866, 
were  confined  to  the  room  now  occupied  by  the  First  District 
Court,  at  the  southwest  corner  of  the  City  Hall  basement.  In 
1866,  tliey  were  removed  to  more  commodious  quarters  in  a  brick 
building  at  the  northwest  corner  of  W;:slungton  and  Johnson 
streets,  and  there  remained  until  1871,  when  they  were  estab- 
lished in  a  still  larger  building  on  the  southwest  corner  of  Liv- 
ingston and  Court  streets.  No  other  change  took  place  until 
May  of  the  present  year,  when  the  central  office  of  this  depart- 
ment was  located  in  the  ]\Iunicipal  Building. 

The  Bureau  of  Excise  was  an  independent  dei)artment  in 
1872-3,  with  offices  on  the  south  coi'ner  of  Myrtle  avenue  and 
Fulton  street.  By  the  amended  charter  of  1873  the  department 
was  made  a  bureau,  subordinate  to  the  Police  Commissioners. 
Tlie  bureau  went  with  them  from  the  corner  of  Livingston  and 
Court  streets  to  the  IMunicipal  Building. 

The  Health  Offices  of  the  city,  soon  after  the  erection  of  the 
Court  House,  were  placed  on  the  first  floor,  east  side,  of  that 
building.  They  wtre  then  removed  to  a  large  frame  house  on 
Wiishington  street,  just  north  of  old  police  headquarters ;  and 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAKTMENT  BUILDING. 


21 


subsequently,  in  ]\Iay,  1873,  when  the  Healtli  Department  was 
organized,  to  more  suitable  premises  at  the  northwest  corner 
of  Court  and  Livingston  streets,  and  there  remained  to  the  end 
of  April,  1878.  The  department  is  now  in  the  Municipal 
Building. 

The  City  Treasury. — Up  to  1S73  tlie  city  luid  no  office  for 
the  accommodation  of  its  treasurer.  In  that  year,  on  the  reor- 
ganization of  the  Brooklyn  Trust  Company,  rooms  for  the  City 
Treasurer  were  rented  on  the  northwest  corner  of  Court  and 
Joralemon  streets.  In  the  transfer  of  departments  that  has  just 
taken  place,  the  otfice  was  removed  to  the  City  Hall. 

Department  of  Audit. — The  Auditor's  offive  was  removed,  in 
1874,  from  the  City  Hall  to  a  room  adjoining  the  City  Treasury 
Department  on  Court  street.  It  has  been  again  located  in  the 
City  Hall. 

Department  of  Parks. — The  Park  Commission,  as  at  present 
constituted,  was  appointed  in  April,  1860.  Its  first  offices  were 
in  the  Court  House  ;  then  they  were  on  Court  street,  opposite  the 
City  Hall ;  then  at  the  recent  Police  Headquarters,  corner  of 
Court  and  Livingston  streets,  which  it  vacated  in  1871  to  occupy 
part  of  the  three  story  brick  building  on  the  southwest  corner  of 
Schermerhorn  and  Court  streets.  There  the  department  remained 
until  the  first  of  the  present  month.  The  offices  are  now  in  the 
City  Hall. 

Department  of  Arrears. — The  amended  charter  of  1873  cre- 
ated a  Department  of  xVrrears  from  a  bureau  of  the  Department 
of  Collection.    In  1873-78  the  Department  occupied  oflices  on 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING, 


Court  street,  adjoining  the  Treasurer's  and  Auditor's  depart- 
ments. It  has  been  removed,  during  the  recent  general  change, 
to  the  Municipal  Building. 

Board  of  Elections. — By  a  special  Act  of  the  Legislature, 
passed  in  1873,  tlie  appointment  of  a  Board  of  Elections  was 
directed  to  be  made.  The  offices  of  the  Board  since  that  3'ear 
have  been  in  Montague  street,  between  Court  and  Clinton,  and 
opposite  the  Academy  of  Music.  From  tlie  beginning  of  this 
montli  they  have  been  in  the  City  Hall. 


THE  MUNICIPAL  DEPApEHT  BUILDING. 


 o  

It  was  for  a  long  time  apparent  to  the  officials  who  were  cliarged 
with  administering  the  affairs  of  the  municipal  government,  as 
well  as  to  the  discriminating  public,  that  the  system  of  occupying 
separate  buildings  for  the  transaction  of  the  public  business  was 
impracticable.  Not  only  was  it  inconvenient  to  the  public,  whose 
affairs  called  them  to  the  several  departments,  but  extremely  an- 
noying to  the  officials,  who,  by  the  very  nature  of  their  employ- 
ment, were  called  upon  to  frequently  communicate  witli  each 
other.  The  demand  for  an  improvement  in  this  direction  stimu- 
lated the  Board  of  City  Works  to  attempt  a  remedy.  In  1873, 
J.  W.  Adams,  the  Chief  Engineer,  under  the  direction  of  that 
department,  prepared  a  plan  for  the  enlargement  of  the  City  Hall 
This  plan  provided  for  remodellitig  the  City  Hall,  so  far  as  to  add 
wings  on  each  of  the  East  and  West  faces,  to  the  depth  of  the 
building,  thus  covering  the  space  from  street  to  street,  or  a  total 
frontage  of  232  feet,  witli  piavilion5  over  each  wing,  front  and  rear, 
and  a  Mansard  roof  over  the  entire  building,  including  the 
wings — thus  making  the  building  four  entire  stories  in  height,  and 
arranged  to  utilize  the  roof  story. 

In  the  meantime  the  constantly  growing  wants  of  the  city  had 
so  increased  the  force  necessary  for  the  transaction  of  its  business 
that,  in  1875,  the  rentals  for  the  departments  which  are  provided  for 
by  reason  of  the  erection  of  the  new  building,  amounted  to  $17,600 


24 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAKTMENT  BUILDING. 


per  annum.  Tlie  stringency  in  financial  affairs,  and  tlie  c^jnee- 
quent  depression  in  the  values  of  real  estate,  caused  the  Common 
Council  to  attempt  a  reduction  of  these  figures,  which,  in  1877, 
was  successful  to  the  extent  of  reducing  them  to  $14, 300.  Notwith- 
standing this  reduction,  the  lack  of  accommodation  both  to 
officials  and  the  public  was  constantly  pressing  the  authorities  in 
the  direction  of  relief.  A  careful  study  of  tlie  plans  proposed  by 
Mr.  Adams,  and  an  analysis  of  the  various  suggestions  tending  to 
an  enlargement  of  the  City  Hall,  developed  so  many  olistacles, 
that  such  enlargement  was  not  considered  feasible  at  present. 
There  are  some  commendal)le  features  in  connection  with  such 
proposed  alterations,  that  in  the  future  may  be  adopted.  The 
steady  growth  of  owv  population  will  doubtless  cause  sucli  an  in- 
crease in  the  public  service,  that  the  present  siii-plus  space  may 
be  exhausted,  and  more  room  demanded,  hut  it  is  not  probable 
that  the  public  officials  of  the  present  generation  will  be  called 
upon  to  solve  that  prol)lem. 

PRELIMINARIES  TO  THE  NEW  BUILDING. 

The  preliminary  steps  toward  the  construction  of  the  New 
Building,  wliicli  is  the  main  subjectt  of  this  document,  have  already 
been  published  somewhat  in  detail,  and  are  to  be  found  in  the 
minutes  and  documents  of  the  Common  Council  for  1876.  In 
order  to  preserve  in  a  consecutive  form  an  enduring  record  of  the 
entire  proceedings  in  connection  therewith,  a  brief  review  of  mat- 
ters heretofore  puljlished  is  embodied  in  this  report. 

The  municipality  at  the  period  of  the  instigation  of  these  pro- 
ceedings was,  and  had  been  for  somq  time,  the  owner  of  a  plot  of 
ground  on  a  corner  of  Fourth  street  and  North  Second  street, 
upon  which  was  a  building  being  occupied,  rent  free,  by  the 
County  of  Kings,  for  the  pvirposes  of  an  armory  and  drill  room 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAETMENT  BUILDING. 


25 


for  the  Forty -seventh  Regiment,  National  Guard,  a  State  military 
organization,  under  the  supervision  of  the  County  authorities. 
This  laud  came  into  the  possession  of  the  city  in  1863-4,  by  pur- 
chase from  James  M.  Waterbury,  as  appears  by  two  deeds,  the 
consideration  being  named  as  $3,000  and  $5,400  respectively, 
and  was  at  the  time  of  this  transfer  useless  for  any  city  purpose, 
its  location  preventing  its  utility  for  public  offices. 

At  the  same  time  tlie  county  was  tlie  owner  of  several  plots  of 
mioccupied  ground,  some  of  which  were  considered  eligiV)]e  loca- 
tions for  a  l)uildi;ig  for  the  accommodation  of  the  municipal  de- 
partments. 

Though  conducted  under  separate  forms  of  government,  the 
interests  of  the  city  and  county  are,  in  a  financial  and  proprietary 
point  of  view,  almost  identical,  only  about  5  per  cent,  of  the 
county  assessment  being  exempt  from  the  city  assessment.  It 
seemed,  therefore,  a  perfectly  reasonable  proposition  that  the  city 
property,  being  in  use  by  the  county  authorities,  should  become 
the  property  of  the  county  in  exchange  for  lands  of  the  county 
to  be  applied  to  city  purposes,  without  considering  the  relative 
values  of  the  respective  property. 

The  plot  which  first  was  suggested  as  appropriate  for  the  new 
structure  is  located  on  Adams  street,  between  Myrtle  avenue  and 
Johnson  street.  In  accordance  with  this  idea  the  first  official  act 
towards  the  consummation  of  the  project  was  had  on  the  28th 
day  of  February,  1876,  by  the  introduction  in  the  Board  of  Al- 
dermen, by  Alderman  Fkancis  B.  Fisheb,  of  tlie  Twenty-third 
ward,  of  a  resolution  calling  for  the  appointment  of  a  special 
committee  of  three  to  negotiate  with  the  authorities  of  the 
county  for  the  transfer  of  the  land  on  Adams  street  to  the  city, 
and  to  report  to  the  Board  the  result  of  the  negotiation.  Alder- 
man Wm.  a.  Fritz,  of  the  Twenty-second  ward,  seconded  by  the 

4 


20 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


mover  of  the  resolution,  moved  that  Aklermaii  John  French,  of 
the  Twentieth  ward.  President  of  the  Board  of  Aldermen,  be 
chairman  of  such  committee;  all  of  which  was  unanimously 
adopted.  On  the  29th  of  February,  the  President  appointed  as 
such  committee,  himself  (I)y  order  of  the  Board)  as  chairman, 
and  Alderman  F.  B.  Fisheu  of  the  Twenty -third  ward  and  Alder- 
man Wm.  H.  Muktha  of  the  Ninth  ward  as^the  other  members. 

This  committee  connnunicated  the  fact  of  their  ap])ointment  to 
the  Board  of  Supervisors,  which  body  appointed  Supervisors 
John  L.  Kyder,  of  Flatlands  ;  Demas  Steoxg,  of  the  Thirteenth 
ward,  and  George  Sexton,  of  the  Fourth  ward,  to  confer  upon 
the  subject.  The  result  of  the  first  conference  developed  that  the 
committee  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  were  in  hearty  accord 
with  the  movement,  and  that  there  was  a  fair  ])ro1)ability  that  the 
county  authorities  would  aid  in  promoting  the  erection  of  the 
building  sought  for,  placing  at  the  disposal  of  the  city  such  land 
as  might  be  required ;  whereupon,  on  the  6th  of  ]\Iarch  fol- 
lowing, the  committee  of  the  Board  of  Aldermen  reported  to  that 
body,  recommending  that  the  authorities  be  directed  to  make  such 
transfer  as  the  special  committee  might  agree  upon  with  the 
Board  of  Supervisors  relative  to  the  respective  lands  alluded  to, 
which  was  unanimously  agreed  to. 

On  the  13th  of  March  the  Aldermanic  Special  Committee  re- 
ported to  the  Board  that  after  a  careful  consideration  of  the  sub- 
ject they  had  come  to  the  conclusion  that  other  and  more  suitable 
lands  were  to  be  had  for  the  purpose  meutioned,  and  asking  for 
further  and  full  authority  to  exchange  for  land  other  than  that 
mentioned  on  Adams  street,  which  request  v.  as  granted  unani- 
mously. 

Frequent  consultations  with  the  otiicials  of  both  city  and  county, 
and  many  leading  citizens  actively  interested  in  the  welfare  of 


MUNrCIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


27 


Brooklyn,  liad  satisfied  the  special  committee  that  the  buihling 
would  meet  with  popular  favor,  and  that  every  facility  ^^ould  be 
alForded  by  all  parties  to  provide  for  its  construction.  Having 
decided  thai  a  new  building  was  to  be  erected,  it  was  at  once  the 
aim  of  those  who  were  its  most  active  promoters  to  cause  its  erec- 
tion at  as  early  a  day  as  possible ;  and  it  was  then  deemed  not 
improbable  that  such  Iniilding  might  be  made  ready  for  occu- 
pancy by  May  1,  1877.  Subsequent  events,  as  will  appear,  inter- 
fered witli  this  much  of  the  plan.  Prompt  steps  were  however 
taken.  The  charter  under  which  the  city  is  governed  did  not 
provide  any  means  for  such  an  expenditure,  except  by  placing  the 
amount  in  the  tax  levy,  and  no  more  could  be  authorized  to  be 
expended  in  any  one  year  than  was  so  raised  by  tax  ;  therefore 
the  whole  amount  would  be  necessaril}^  raised  in  one  year,  or  tlie 
building  be  contracted  for  in  parts  only,  and  only  so  much  con- 
structed as  the  authorities  were  willing  to  pay  for  in  a  given  year. 
This  was  not  deemed  feasiljle,  and  at  the  same  date — March  6, 
1876 — the  special  committee  recommended  that  they  be  author- 
ized to  attempt  to  procure  the  passage  of  a  special  act  of  the  Leg- 
islature to  confer  power  upon  the  Common  Council  to  facilitate 
the  erection  of  the  public  building,  to  procure  plans,  specifications 
and  estimates,  and  to  take  such  steps  as  in  their  judgment  were 
necessary  and  for  the  interest  of  the  city  in  the  matter.  This 
recommendation,  with  an  appropriation  of  two  hundred  and  fifty 
dollars  for  expenses  for  preliminary  plans,  &c.,  was  adopted 
without  a  dissenting  vote. 

Tlie  special  committee  then  prosecuted  their  negotiations  with 
the  Board  of  Supervisors,  simultaneously  with  their  efibrts  for  a 
special  act  of  the  Legislature,  which  was  then  in  session.  After 
many  delays,  such  as  naturally  arise  in  legislative  bodies,  they 
succeeded  in  effecting  a  transfer  which  in  all  its  features  was 


28 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAETMENT  BUILDING. 


eminently  snccessfnl.  The  sjiecial  committee  of  the  Board  of 
Siipervisors,  the  then  Sn})ervisor-at-Large  James  Howell,  and 
otlier  gentlemen  of  the  Board,  are  entitled  to  the  thanks  of  the 
commnnity  for  their  zealous  efforts  in  overcoming  the  ])rejudices 
of  a  few  memhers  who  felt  reluctant  to  advise  the  county  to  part 
with  so  valuable  a  piece  of  property,  they  thinking  it  might  yet 
be  wanted  for  county  purposes,  The  result  when  accomplislied, 
however,  proved  generally  satisfactory,  and  on  the  31st  of  May, 
1876,  there  were  tiled  in  the  Registrar's  office  deeds  of  transfer, 
the  city  deeding  to  the  county  the  Forty-seventh  regiment 
armory  property  heretofore  alluded  to,  and  the  county  deeding 
to  the  city  the  site  of  the  present  building,  which  is  briefly  de- 
scribed as  lands  bounded  on  the  east  side  by  the  Court  House 
and  the  brick  wall  fencing  in  the  lands  upon  which  the  Court 
House  stands ;  upon  the  south  by  Livingston  street  and  the 
Polytechnic  Institute  ;  on  the  west  by  the  lands  of  the  Polytech- 
nic Institute  and  of  the  Dutch  Peformed  Church  ;  and  on  the 
north  by  Joralcmon  street.  Said  deed  contains  a  condition  that 
fco  long  as  the  present  Court  House  lands  remain  the  property  of 
the  county  no  building  shall  be  erected  upon  said  lands  so  trans- 
ferred to  the  city  within  twenty  feet  of  the  present  line  of  the 
Court  House  Building,  and  in  all  other  respects  is  a  full  warrantee 
deed.  This  condition  was,  on  June  21,1876,  modilied  by  the 
Board  of  Supervisors  so  as  not  to  apply  to  towers,  areas,  balco- 
nies or  steps,  these  being  permitted  to  be  built  within  fifteen  feet 
of  the  Court  House  line. 

These  lands  were  purchased  by  the  county,  after  the  building  of 
the  Kings  County  Court  House,  for  the  purpose  of  removing  from 
the  neighborhood  of  the  public  buildings  several  unsightly  struc- 
tures, devoted  to  occupations  which  rendered  their  proximity 
unpleasant,  and  also  with  a  view  to  the  possibilities  of  future 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


wants.  The  pnrcliase  was  made  in  1868,  tliere  being  paid  to  tlie 
estate  of  John  Devancene  $4-0,600,  to  Edward  W.  Fisk  $86,420, 
and  to  A.  C.  Buniliain  for  fixtures  $3,717.50. 

The  location  being  in  dose  proximity  to  the  City  Hall,  and 
easy  of  access,  is  peculiarly  eligible,  and  when  it  is  considered 
that  it  was  procured  without  taxing  the  public  in  these  days  of 
heavy  burdens  for  any  outlay  in  that  behalf,  it  is  a  source  of  con- 
gratulation. 

The  special  committee  were  equally  fortunate  in  procuring 
the  necessary  legislation.  They  applied  to  the  law  officer  of  the 
city,  Corporation  Counsel  Wm.  C.  DeWitt,  for  the  draft  of  an 
act  which  would  permit  the  accomplishment  of  the  desired  re- 
sult, which  draft  was  submitted  to  the  members  of  the  Legislature 
from  the  city  of  Brooklyn,  and  by  them  promptly  caused  to  be 
passed.  The  act  met  the  ap])roval  of  the  Governor  on  the  2oth 
of  April,  1876,  and  is  in  the  following  hmguage : 

CHAPTER  131. 
An  Act 

To  enable  the  City  of  Brooklyn  to  Construct  a  Public  Building 
Passed  April  2(>,  187t),  three-tifths  l)eing  present. 

The  People  of  the  State  of  Keio  York,  represented  in  Senate  and 
Assernlly,  do  enact  as  follows  : 

Skction  1.  The  Common  Council  of  the  city  of  Brooklyn  are 
hereby  authorized  and  empowered  to  build  a  public  building,  to 
be  used  for  numicipal  purposes,  and  to  acquire  land  therefor  for 
the  uses  of  the  city  of  Brooklyn,  in  such  manner  and  under  such 
supervision  as  said  Common  Council  may  determine,  at  an  expense 
not  exceeding  two  hundred  thousand  dollars,  exchisive  of  the  cost 
of  said  land;  and  for  such  purpose  the  financial  officers  of  said  city 


80 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAKTMENT  BlTILDI^fG. 


are  authorized  and  directed  to  pay  out  of  any  moneys  in  tlie  city 
treasury  of  said  city  of  Brooklyn  tlie  cost  and  expense  of  said 
l)uilding  and  of  tlie  acquisition  of  said  land  therefor,  as  directed 
by  the  Coinnion  Coimc-il,  anything  in  any  law  heretofore  passed 
to  the  contrary  notwithstanding. 

§  2.  For  the  purposes  of  reimbursing  the  treasury  of  the  city, 
the  proper  authorities  are  directed  to  insert  said  amount  in  the 
l)udget,  or  tax  levy,  to  be  laid  on  the  property  in  said  city  during 
the  years  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  seventy-six,  one  thou- 
sand eight  hundred  and  seventy-seven,  and  one  thousand  eight 
hundred  and  seventy-eight,  in  three  equal  anmial  instalments. 

§  3.  This  Act  shall  take  effect  immediately. 

Appreciating  the  necessity  for  prompt  action,  immediately  upon 
the  passage  of  the  special  Act  of  the  Legislature  the  committee 
sought  the  advice  of  three  local  architects  of  standing  in  their 
profession — to  wit,  Messrs.  John  Mumfoud,  Wm.  B.  Ditmaks, 
and  Arthur  Crooks — to  whom  they  submitted  suggestions  as  to 
the  kind  of  building  required.  The  reports  of  these  gentlemen 
as  to  the  probable  cost  of  such  a  structure  were  so  encoui'aging 
that  the  committee,  under  the  authority  previously  given  to  them 
l)y  the  Common  Council,  invited  six  architects  to  compete  with 
plans  for  the  building,  agreeing  to  pay  to  said  architects  whose 
plans  wei'e  not  adopted  fifty  dollars  each,  and  to  return  such 
plans.  These  architects  were  Messrs.  Mundell,  Crooks,  Ditmars, 
-  Morse,  Mumford,  and  Morrell — all  residents  of  Brooklyn.  Sub- 
sequently, upon  request,  the  committee  invited  Messrs.  Eisenach, 
Cornwall,  and  Schultz  &  Steinmetz,  Brooklyn  arcliitects,  to  com- 
pete, upon  the  imderstanding  that  they  would  be  placed  on  the 
same  footing  as  to  compensation  for  plans  not  adopted  as  were 
the  others — subject  to  an  appropriation  to  be  made  by  the  Com- 
mon Council.  The  appropriation  was  made  at  the  next  meeting 
of  the  Common  Council. 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAKTMENT  BUILDING. 


31 


On  the  l:2tli  of  June,  1876,  the  coiniuittee  made  a  full  rejjort 
of  proceedings  to  that  date,  in  which  they  used  the  following 
lanOTajre : 

"  We  have  conferred  with  the  heads  of  the  various  departments- 
of  the  city  government,  and  hud  no  dithculty  in  agreeing  upon  a 
proper  distribution  of  the  new  othces  proposed  to  be  furnished. 
Om'  recommendation  is,  that  the  new  buihling  he  one  hundred 
feet  front,  and  one  huntlred  and  lif  ty  feet  in  depth ;  of  three  sto- 
ries and  mansard  roof;  of  brick,  with  marble  or  iron  front;  nearly 
fireproof,  with  fireproof  vaults  for  the  safe  keeping  of  records, 
maps,  and  other  valuable  pi'operty  of  the  city,  and  with  a  cellar 
for  the  storage  of  coal,  su]>p]ies  for  Board  of  Health,  etc.,  and  for 
phicing  therein  heating  and  ventilating  apparatus.  We  also  rec- 
ommend, subject  to  such  changes  as  experience  may  dictate,  that 
the  new  building,  when  erected,  be  occupied  as  follows :  first 
floor,  by  the  Tax  Collector,  Registrar  of  Arrears,  and  Board  of 
Assessors;  second  and  third  floors,  by  the  Board  of  City  Works, 
Police  and  Excise,  and  the  Board  of  Health — distributing  the 
offices  most  visited  by  the  public  so  as  to  make  them  convenient 
of  access;  the  fourth  floor  will  not  be  required  to  be  fully  com- 
pleted, only  a  portion  of  it  being  likely  to  be  wanted  at  present. 
If  desired,  a  drill  room  for  the  police  may  be  finished  off  in  the 
cellar,  which  will  be  of  sufficient  depth  and  capable  of  being  used 
for  that  purpose.  This  disposition  of  the  departments  furnishes 
them  ample  room  for  their  present  and  prospective  wants,  and 
will  leave  space  in  the  present  City  Hall  for  the  Treasurer,  Au- 
ditor, Park  Commissioners,  Bureau  of  Elections,  Committee  Rooms 
for  the  Board  of  Aldermen,  with  considerable  unoccupied  room 
for  the  future  wants  of  this  rapidly  growing  city." 

The  reconnnendations  embodied  in  the  report  above  quoted 
have  been  carried  out,  with  the  single  exception  of  transferring 
the  Board  of  Assessors  to  the  second  floor,  and  putting  the  Reg- 
istrar of  Water  Rates  (a  branch  of  the  City  Works  Department), 


32 


MUMCIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


Oil  the  first  Moor.  Tliis  change  was  made  with  a  view  of  aceom- 
iiiodatiiig  the  greater  number  of  people,  and  to  coinbine  the  col- 
lection of  all  taxes  and  assessments  upon  the  first  floor. 

The  committee  accompanied  their  report  with  a  resolution  that 
they  he  authorized  to  procure  estimates  for  the  excavation  of  a 
cellar  on  the  hind  to  be  dedicated  to  the  new  building,  and  to 
award  the  contract  therefor  to  the  lowest  bidder,  which  resolution 
was  agreed  to. 

lu  connection  therewith  Alderman  W.\i.  11.  Kay,  of  the 
Thirteenth  ward,  offered  a  resolution  that  the  Special  Committee 
be  increased  to  five,  and  be  instructed  to.  continue  as  a  committee 
to  supervise  the  erection  of  the  proposed  building.  After  debate 
and  several  ineffectual  attempts  to  amend.  Alderman  Ray's  reso- 
lution was  adopted.  Whereupon  Alderman  Fishkr  and  Alder- 
man ]Mi:i{TiiA  tendered  their  resignations  from  the  committee. 
By  a  vote  of  the  Board  it  was  resolved  not  to  accept  their 
resignations.  The  President  of  the  Board  of  Aldermen,  JoirN 
FuKNCii,  ap]»ointed  Alderman  Oeokge  AV.  Williams  of  the 
Eighteenth  ward  and  Geokge  Je.nnison  of  the  Twenty  fourth 
ward  as  the  additional  members  of  the  committee. 

The  committee  invited  estimates  for  the  excavation,  and  on 
tlie  19tli  of  June  following,  reported  to  the  Board  of  Alder- 
men that  they  had  received  twenty  bids,  and  had  awarded  the 
contract  to  ThoMAS  (Uleavey,  the  lowest  biddei-,  at  35  cents  per 
cubic  yard,  the  work  to  be  commenced  on  the  21st  inst.  and  com- 
pleted in  twenty  working  days.  The  work  was  faithfully  com- 
]»leted.  At  tlie  same  date  there  was  adopted  a  resolution  that  all 
contracts  entered  into  by  the  Special  Committee,  by  oi-der  of  the 
Board,  should  be  executed  under  the  seal  of  the  city  by  llis  Honor 
the  Iklayor. 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAETMENT  BUILDING. 


83 


BREAKING  GROUND. 

Aid.  FisiiKii,  on  tlio  lOth  of  June,  on  bi'lialf  ot"  tlio  cominittee, 
presented  to  the  lioard  the  following  invitation  : 

"Brooklyn,  June  19,  1876. 
"  The  Major,  Board  of  Aldermen,  heads  of  Municipal  depart- 
ments, a!ul  tlie  otiicers  thereof,  the  meml)ers  of  tlie  lioard  of 
Supervisors,  the  county  officers,  and  the  public  generally,  are 
hereby  invited  to  be  present  at  the  ceremonies  a('(-omj)anyiug  tlie 
breaking  of  ground  for  the  Municipal  Building  on  Joralemon 
street,  west  of  the  Court  House,  at  eleven  o'clock,  A.  M.,  on 
Wednesday,  June  21,  1876. 

"  Respect  fully, 

"  "F.  B.  FISHER, 
"  CoiiDidttee  on  Ceremonies. 

"By  order  of  Committee." 

.  The  following  account  of  the  proceeding;,  at  the  ceremony  is  a 
literal  extract  from  the  Brooklyn  Daily  Eagle  of  that  date  : 

Commenced — Gkoi  nd  Broken  for  the  New  Municipal  Build- 
ing— The  Ceremony  this  Mokning — Speeches  aitkopkiate 
to  the  occasion  by  Mayor  Schroedek,  the  Corporation 
Counsel,  and  several  Aldermen. 

The  ceremony  of  breaking  ground  for  the  new  Municipal  Build- 
ing, to  be  erected  on  the  land  adjoining  the  west  side  of  the  Court 
House,  took  place,  in  the  presence  of  a  large  assemblage  of  city 
and  county  officials  and  citizens,  at  eleven  o'clock  this  morning. 
The  spot  selected  for  breaking  ground  was  about  twenty  feet 
from  the  Court  House,  and  al)0ut  the  same  distance  from  the  side- 
walk of  Joralemon  street,  the  place  being  shaded  from  the  hot 
morning  sun  l)y  tlie  building  which  towered  above  it.  Ma^'or 
Scliroeder  removed  the  first  shovelful  of  earth,  and  was  followed 
by  John  French,  President  of  the  Board  of  Aldermen  and  Chair- 
man of  the  Building  Committee,  who  removed  the  second  shovel- 
ful.   Addresses  by  the  Mayor,  President  French,  Corporation 

o 


34 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


Counsel  William  C.  DeWitt,  Supervisor  Clark,  Alderman  i\Iin-tlia, 
and  other  officials,  followed.  A  rude  platform  was  erected  for 
the  speakers  near  the  Court  House  wall. 

When  the  people  gathered  around  the  spot  where  ground  was 
to  he  hroken,  Alderman  Fisher,  mounting  a  hox,  said  to  the  Alder- 
men and  Supervisors,  "  Gentlemen,  come  inside  ihe  ring."  Evei-y 
one  laughed  at  this. 

AIDERMAN  FISBEn's  SPEECH. 

Gentlemen— We  have  invited  you  here  for  the  purpose  of  witnessing  the 
breaking  of  ground  toward  the  erection  of  the  new  Munici2ial  Building.  It  has 
come  to  be  the  belief  of  the  present  oflicers  of  the  city  government  that  the 
building  which  it  is  contemplated  to  erect  is  a  necessity  both  in  the  interests  of 
economy  and  convenience  to  the  public.  It  is  proposed  on  the  part  of  the  Com- 
mon Council  to  erect  a  building  suitable  in  appearance  and  convenient  in  its 
structure,  which  will  be  satisfactory  to  the  peojale,  not  only  in  point  of  the 
character  of  the  building,  but  in  reference  to  the  cost  thereof.  We  propose  to 
try  for  once  to  build  a  public  building  within  the  means  that  is  allotted  for  the 
purpose  and  a  building  which  is  well  worth  the  money.  We  are  satisfied  that 
the  times  are  auspicious  to  do  this,  and  we  shall  endeavor  to  perform  the  duty 
which  is  assigned  to  us  faithfully  and  honestly,  that  you  as  taxpayers  may 
realize  a  happy  result.  I  now  have  the  pleasure  of  introducing  to  you  His  Honor 
the  Mayor,  who,  after  addressing  you,  will  break  the  ground. 

SPEECH  OF  M.\TOE  SCHEOEDEE. 

Me.  Chaieman  and  Gentlemen— Some  forty  years  ago  the  corner  stone  was 
laid  for  the  Hall  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street.  It  was  then  contemplated  to 
erect  a  building  which  should  cover  the  whole  of  City  Hall  Square;  but  the 
panic  of  1837  put  a  stop  to  the  building  for  the  time  being,  and  the  project 
slumbered  until  1844,  when  finally  this  building  was  begun  on  the  modified 
plan  and  completed  in,  I  believe,  two  j'ears.  The  building  as  originally  in- 
tended woiild  be  what  we  want  to-day,  as  far  as  room  and  convenience  are  con- 
cerned ;  but  it  was  well  at  that  time  that  wiser  counsels  prevailed,  and  that  the 
money  was  saved  to  the  taxpayers  of  the  city  that  might  have  been  invested  in 
such  a  large  building.  The  time  has  arrived  when  we  must  have  additional 
room,  and  we  have  the  men  in  the  Common  Coiincil  who  are  practical  me- 
chanics, who  are  honest  and  industrious  and  have  the  interests  of  the  city  at 
heart  as  much  as  any  taxpayer  in  the  city,  and  who  will  see  to  it  that  this  is  as 
honest  a  job  as  ever  was  put  up  in  the  City  of  Brooklyn.  It  is  a  fortunate  time, 
as  it  procures  emploj'ment  for  a  number  of  the  unemployed  mechanics  and  la- 
borers in  this  citj'.  The  expense  we  can  easily  bear;  it  is  not  large.  Still,  every 
little  helps  toward  bringing  about  a  more  fortunate  and  auspicious  time  for  our 
laboring  classes  and  for  our  business  men,  and  if  all  followed  the  example  set 
here  by  the  city,  and,  with  Hope  in  the  future,  start  new  enterprises  and  invest 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


35 


the  money  that  is  lying  idle  in  the  hanks,  we  shonhl  very  soon  again  see  all 
our  factories  in  motion,  all  our  mechanics  employed  and  all  our  lahorers  at 
work.    (Cries  of  "Hear  !  hear!"  and  cheers.) 

Alderiiiiiii  Fisher  jiiniouiieed  that  the  Mayor  would  now  break 
gruiuul  and  wouhl  bu  fulluwi'd  by  President  French.  A  laborer 
whu  stood  by  handed  His  Honor  a  shovel,  with  which  Mr.  Scliroe- 
der  easily  removed  a  quantity  of  earth  and  tossed  it  into  tlie  air. 
ilr.  French  then  took  the  shovel  and  went  to  work  like  an  old 
hand.  He  removed  two  shovelsful  of  earth,  :uid,  with  the  Mayor, 
returned  to  liis  former  position  near  the  stand.  The  crowd 
cheered  lustily. 

Alderman  Fisher  then  introduced  John  French,  President  of 
the  Board  of  Aldermen  and  Cliairman  of  the  Building  Com- 
mittee. 

ALDERMAN  FKENCH's  SPEECH. 

* 

Gentlemtn — In  addition  to  what  his  Honor,  the  Mayor,  has  stated,  I  wish  to 
call  up  a  few  of  the  historical  facts  connected  with  the  building  of  the  City  Hall 
before  us  and  of  the  former  contemplated  building.  His  Honor  stated  that  iu 
183(),  or  forty  years  ago,  a  plan  was  devised  and  a  building  commenced  which 
was  to  occupy  nearly  the  whole  of  the  triangle  before  us,  the  foundation  of 
which  cost  about  half  a  million  of  dollars,  but  as  the  city  became  bankrupt,  and 
the  population  being  only  about  36,000,  it  was  thought  best  to  proceed  no 
further.  Steps  were  taken  in  18-14  and  184.5  to  commence  the  building,  which 
was  finally  finished,  and  which  now  stands  before  you.  The  Committee  on  the 
building  at  that  time  was  "Wm.  Burbank,  Samuel  Smith,  Thomas  J.  Gerald  and 
Samuel  S.  Powell.  His  Honor,  ex-Mayor  Powell,  is  the  only  living  member  of 
that  Committee.  That  building  cost,  with  all  its  furniture,  about  $250  000. 
'J  he  chairs  of  the  New  York  t'ourt  House  cost  more  than  that  sum  (laughter),  to 
say  nothing  about  the  other  furniture.  The  Court  House  adjoining  us  here  was 
an  honest  job,  all  honor  to  ex-Mayor  Booth,  who  was  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee. It  cost  the  County  of  Kings  8551,7(38.28.  Now,  a  good  deal  has  been 
said  about  the  extravagance  of  the  city  of  Brooklyn,  but  it  cannot  be  said  that 
she  is  extravagant  in  her  public  buildings.  The  city  of  Philadelphia,  with  a 
population  of  three  or  four  hundred  thousand  more  than  this  city— this  being 
the  third  city  in  the  Union — is  now  erecting  a  buikling  that  is  to  cost  about 
§12,000,000.  The  city  of  Baltimore,  with  a  population,  I  think,  of  less  than 
200,000,  has  just  finished  a  building  costing  S2,273  000.  If  we  are  successful  in 
finishing  the  building  that  is  now  contemplated  for  $200,000,  it  seems  to  me  that 
no  one  ought  to  complain.  The  small  city  of  New  Haven  has  a  large  building 
exclusively  devoted  to  the  pol  ce  department  tliat  luust  have  cost  about  $100,000. 


36 


MUNICIPAL  UEFAIITMENT  BUILDING. 


I  want,  in  the  jiresence  of  all  composing  this  large  company,  to  thank  the  gentle- 
men of  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  who  so  generouslj'  and  now  unanimously 
have  agreed  to  exchange  this  beautiful  spot  for  the  erectiop,  I  trust,  of  this 
beautiful  building.  I  think  they  will  have  no  cause  to  regret  it,  because  there 
is  very  little  difference  between  the  city  and  the  county — the  two  interests  are 
one,  and  there  is  scarcely  any  difference  between  them.  In  1832,  when  Brooklyn 
was  a  village,  the  first  year  I  came  here,  the  population  consisted,  I  think,  of 
a  little  over  18,000,  and  a  gentleman  said  to  a  friend  of  mine,  "If  you  live  to 
the  ordinary  age  of  man,  you  will  see  this  village  become  a  city  of.  500,000 
people."  The  friend  of  mine  said,  "You  are  crazy,  man,"  and  yet  we  live  to 
see  it,  and  what  the  future  will  be  no  gentleman  here  can  prophesy.  We 
anticipate,  as  we  trust,  all  good  lovers  of  the  city  government  will  try  to  make 
it  a  city  of  prosperity  and  success.  We  trust  that  the  completion  of  this  work 
will  be  so  satisfactory  to  you  that  you  will  praise  what  has  been  done. 

Alderman  Fislier  tlien  introduced  Corporation  Counsel  DeWitt, 
to  whom,  he  said,  they  were  indebted  for  drawing  the  act  which 
authorized  the  work.  Mr.  DeWitt  was  received  with  cheers.  He 
spoke  as  follows : 

SPEECH  or  COEPOEATION  COUNSEL  DEWITT. 

Fellow  Officers  of  the  City  of  Beooklyn: — While  our  esteemed  Mayor  has 
appropriately  had  the  honor  of  first  breaking  ground  for  the  actual  construction 
of  the  new  MuniciiJal  Building,  I  may  rejoice,  as  the  law  officer  of  the  city,  in 
having  drawn  the  act,  and  thus  broken  ground  at  Albany  for  this  undertaking. 
Its  inauguration  here  to-day  is  proof  that  notwithstanding  the  financial  strin- 
gency of  the  times  and  the  extent  of  our  public  debt,  the  people  of  th  3  city  of 
Brooklyn  are  fully  confident  of  their  ability  to  meet  their  obligaticms  and  to 
sustain  their  government  comfortably  and  elegantly.  I  regret  that  motives  of 
economy  have  restrained  j'our  committee  from  constructing  the  new  building 
from  the  same  material  throughout,  and  that  the  side  and  rear  walls  are  not  to 
be  of  marble  as  well  as  the  front.  I  notice  that  the  former  generation,  to  which 
we  are  constantly  ascribing  the  severest  sentiments  of  economy,  did  not  make 
this  sacrifice  in  the  erection  of  the  City  Hall;  and  while  the  marble  of  the  old 
building  ma.y  need  cleansing,  I  think  every  one  will  admit  that  it  is  an  interest- 
ing and  beautiful  structure.  While  this  much  may  be  truthfully  said  in  the 
wa.v  of  criticism,  your  new  building  will  be  commodious  in  apartments  and  neat 
and  elegant  in  design.  You  are  to  be  congratulated  on  the  spot  which  has  been 
selected  as  its  site.  It  is  not  likely  that  Brooklyn  will  ever  be  a  capitoline  city, 
or  that  it  will  ever  be  distinguished  by  the  number  or  grandeur  of  its  public 
buildings,  and  it  is  therefore  desirable  that  they  should  be  brought  as  near 
together  as  possible,  in  order  that  their  beauty  may  be  concentrated  and  effective. 
They  should  all  circle  around  the  old  City  Hall,  making  up  a  sort  of  cameo 
crown  in  the  bosom  of  the  city  !    (Applause. )    This  proximity  will  not  only  add 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAETMENT  BUILDING. 


37 


to  the  architectural  beanty  of  the  buildings,  but  it  will  subserve  the  convenience 
of  the  ofticers  of  the  city  who  inhabit  them  and  the  well-being  of  the  people  who 
elect  these  officers. 

Under  existing  laws  our  municipal  government  is  a  unit.  There  are  many 
departments,  but  they  all  co-operate  in  a  single  system,  realizing  our  national 
motto,  "One  in  many."  (Applause.)  No  officer  of  the  city  government  can 
fully  discharge  his  duties  without  making  himself  familiar  with  the  business  of 
the  various  departments.  AVith  the  public  buildings  standing  near  each  other, 
it  will  be  easy  and  comfortable  to  keep  up  this  free  and  salutai-y  intercourse  be- 
tween all  the  departments,  and  thus  the  contiguity  of  the  buildings  will  serve  to 
expedite  public  business,  to  harmonize  the  operations  of  the  city  government, 
and  to  sharpen  and  intensify  that  rivalrj'  which  stimulates  public  officers  in 
their  efforts  to  surpass  each  other  in  fruitful  and  honorable  service  of  the  public. 
(Applause.)  I  close  with  this  statement: — May  the  new  building  stand  to  wit- 
ness as  many  centennial  anniversaries  of  our  couuti-y's  independence  as  there 
are  men  upon  this  field  !  hnt  may  the  city  of  Brooklyn  survive  long  after  its 
most  enduring  marble  shall  have  crumbled  into  ashes  !    (Loud  cheers.) 

Supervisor  Clark,  Chairman  of  the  Court  House  Committee  of 
the  Board  of  Supervisors,  was  then  introduced,  and  spoke  as  follows: 

SPEECH  OF  SUPEKVISOE  CLARK. 

Gentlemen  - 1  certainly  did  not  expect  to  be  called  upon  to  say  a  word  on 
this  occasion,  but  being  so,  why,  I  must  say  something,  I  suppose,  or  appear 
bumptious.  (Laughter,  i  When  this  question  first  came  to  my  notice  my  mind 
was  opposed  to  the  change  of  this  property  for  the  47th  Kegiment  Armory 
in  the  Fourteenth  ward  ;  but  when  I  came  to  consider  the  whole  thing  my  op- 
position was  removed.  This  spot  here  would  not  answer  for  a  park,  and  the 
erection  of  the  building  here  shows  you  that  the  Court  House  was  built  to  cover 
the  nakedness  of  the  place.  (Laughter.)  Then  again  the  erection  of  another 
building  here  will  be  a  great  convenience,  not  only  to  officials,  but  to  all  those 
who  have  bxisiness  to  transact  at  our  public  offices.  It  is  very  desiraljle  that  our 
public  biiildings  should  be  as  near  together  as  possible,  and  in  erecting  the  pro- 
posed Municipal  building  here  you  will  have  absolute  utility,  convenience,  and 
everything  that  is  required  for  the  concentration  and  the  early  and  prompt 
transaction  of  public  business. 

Alderman  Murtlia,  of  the  Building  Conunittee,  was  next  called 
upon. 

SPEECH  or  ALDERMAN  MUETHA. 

Ffllow  Citizens — After  the  terse  and  cogent  reasous  suggested  by  His  Honor 
the  Mayor,  why  this  building  should  be  erected,  and  the  historical  address 
made  by  the  Chairman  of  this  Committee,  and  also  the  silver-voiced  oratory  of  the 
Corporation  Counsel,  it  hardly  seems  necessary  for  any  member  of  the  commit- 
tee to  address  one  word  to  the  citizens  of  Brooklyn  on  the  necessity  for  the 


38 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


erection  of  tbis  building.  As  an  individual  member  of  the  committee  having 
the  construction  of  this  building  in  charge,  I  simply  desire  to  say  to  the  citizens 
of  Brooklyn  that  while  I  remain  a  member  of  that  committee  it  shall  be  my 
purpose  to  see  that  the  city  shall  receive  full  value  for  every  dollar  expended, 
and  I  sincerely  trust  and  hope  that  this  building  shall  be  completed  and  turned 
over  to  the  city  of  Brooklyn  without  one  dollar  of  additional  cost  more  than  the 
appropriation  places  within  our  charge.  I  believe  on  the  completion  of  this 
building  that  the  citizens  will  be  fully  comisensated  for  the  money  expended. 
We  now  have  a  number  of  city  departments  in  isolated  places,  which  is  a  source 
of  annoyance  to  people  who  are  compelled  to  run  from  one  place  to  another  in 
search  of  our  city  otiicials.  It  is  desirable  that  our  city  offices  should  be 
brought  in  close  proximity,  and  this  purpose  will  be  accomplished  by  the  erec- 
tion of  this  building,  which  will  bring  all  the  departments  of  the  City  Govern- 
ment within  the  shadow  of  the  building  on  the  opi)osite  side  of  the  street. 
That  advantage,  and  with  the  large  rental  now  paid  for  the  offices  of  many  de- 
partments saved,  will  make  this  building  a  genuine  benefit  to  the  citizens. 

lirief  speeches  were  also  made  by  Mr.  Daniel  Maujer,  Super- 
visor Hawkes,  President  Truslow,  of  the  Board  of  Assessors,  and 
Registrar  AVliitney,  after  which  the  assenihhige  dispersed. 

Tliis  closes  the  Eanle's  re])ort. 

SELECTION  OE  ARCHITECTS. 

On  tlie  28th  of  June,  lS7t),  the  committee  re[)orted  tliat  eight 
of  the  architects  invited  to  c.:)ni])ete  (all  except  architect  Morse) 
had  presented  phms;  that  they  had  submitted  said  ph\ns  to  two 
of  the  committee,  who  were  experts ;  that  the  excellence  of 
nearly  all  of  them  rendered  a  choice  difficult ;  and  tendering 
thanks  to  the  architects  for  their  ])romptness  and  exhibition  of  skill. 

They,  however,  selected  three  plans,  those  of  John  Mumfokd, 
Wm.  B.  Ditmaus,  and  Aktuuk  CkouKkS,  as  being  in  many  re- 
spects superior  and  each  eipially  desirable.  Not  being  al)le  to 
agree  among  themselves  upon  au}'  one  of  them,  they  submitted 
the  three  ])lans  for  the  action  of  the  Board. 

After  debate  and  the  passage  of  a  resolution  that  the  plans  be 
open  to  the  inspection  of  the  memhers  of  the  Board  of  Aldermen, 
and  tj  no  other  person,  the  m.itt^ir  was  recommitted  to  the  com- 
mittee for  one  week. 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BriLDING. 


30 


On  the  3(1  of  July,  tlie  eoiiimittee  nnaninioiisly  reported  as 
follows  : 

"  That  tiievhave  carefully  corifiidered  the  subject,  and  are  unable 
to  arrive  at  any  different  conclusions  than  tliose  reported  to  you 
at  your  last  meeting.  They  have  chosen  three  plans  from  among 
the  eiglit  presented,  each  of  which  possesses  man}'  merits,  none  of 
which,  however,  being  entirely  satisfactory.  Your  committee  feel 
confident  that  with  either  of  the  three  architects,  to  wit :  Messrs. 
Mumford,  Crooks  and  Ditmars,  they  will  be  enabled  to  construct 
a  satisfactory  building  within  the  appi'opriation.  Tliey  therefore 
reconmiend  for  adoption  tlie  following  resolutions  : 

'■'■]?€ solved,  That  the  salary  of  the  architect  for  the  entii-e  work 
be  $5,000. 

'■'■Resolved,  Tliat  the  Committee  on  Municipal  Building  be  and 
are  herel^y  authorized  and  directed  to  procure  bids,  not  exceeding 
twelve  in  number,  from  responsible  parties,  for  each  branch  of  the 
work,  and  that  they  be  authorized  to  award  the  contracts  for  the 
same  to  the  lowest  Indder  therefor. 

"•Resolved.  That  the  Board  be  requested  to  choose  an  architect 
from  the  names  of  John  Mumford,  Arthur  Ckooks,  and  Wm.  B. 
DiTMAKS ;  that  the  roll  be  called,  and  each  Alderman  name  his 
choice,  and  the  one  receiving  the  majority  over  all  shall  Ije  deemed 
to  be  chosen  as  said  architect." 

Tlie  first  two  of  the  foregoing  resolutions  were  adopted  as  re- 
ported. Tlie  last  motion  was  amended  by  adding  the  name  of 
Wm.  a.  Mundell,  and  unanimously  adopted. 

The  detailed  history  of  the  attempt  to  select  an  architect  would 
occupy  much  space.  Those  who  feel  interested  in  its  examination 
will  find  it  recorded  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Common  Council  of 
the  dates  from  July  3  to  August  14  inclusive.  Forty-one  v'lva 
voce  votes  were  had  without  effecting  a  result. 


40  MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 

The  following  statemont  will  suffice  as  a  fair  indication  of  the 
status  of  the  respective  votes  : 

JULY  3 -FIRST  VOTE. 

For  Arthur  Crooks— .Vld.  Corr,  Kane,  Martha,  Gnnder, 
Donovan,  Fritz,  Jennison — 7. 

For  Wm.  B.  Ditmars — Aid.  Eaj,  Acker,  Williams,  Guthrie, 
Fishei: — 5. 

For  John  Mumford— Aid.  Burnet,  Eowlej,  Arnott,  Griswold, 
French — 5. 

For  Wm.  A.  Mundell — Aid.  Sterling,  Black,  Reardon,  Parker, 
Hill— r>. 

Aid.  Cottrell  excused  from  voting. 

TWENTY -FIRST  VOTE. 

For  MuMFORD — Aid.  Burnet,  Eowley,  Arnott,  Martha,  Gris- 
wold, French — 6. 

For  Mundell — Aid.  Sterling,  Black,  Corr,  Kane,  Eeardon, 
Parker,  Jennison,  Hill — 8. 

For  Crooks — Aid.  Gunder,  Donovan — 2. 

For  Ditmars — Aid.  Ray,  Acker,  Cottrell,  Williams,  Guthrie, 
Fritz,  Fisher — 7. 

JULY  e— TWENTY-SECOND  VOTE. 

For  MuMFORD — Aid.  lJurnet,  Rowley,  Arnott,  Griswold,  Cot- 
trell, French — 6. 

For  Mundell — Aid.  Sterling,  Corr— 2. 

For  Crooks — Aid.  Black,  Ksme,  Murtha,  Gunder,  Donovan, 
Reardon,  Jennison — 7. 

For  Ditmars— Aid.  Ray,  Parker,  Acker,  Williams,  Guthrie, 
Sigrist,  Fritz,  Fisher,  11111—9. 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


41 


THIKTY- SECOND  VO  IE. 

For  ]\IuMFOKD — Aid.  Rowley,  Griswold,  French — 3. 
For  CitOOKS — Aid.  Burnet,  Black,  Corr,  Kane,  Arnott,  Murtlia, 
Gunder,  Donovan,  Reardon,  Jennison — 10. 
For  MuNDELL — Aid.  Sterling — 1. 

For  DlTMARS — Aid.  Rav,  Parker,  Acker,  Cottrell,  Williams, 
Guthrie,  Sigrist,  Fritz,  Fisher,  llill— 10. 

Whereupon  it  was  resolved  that  the  Board  meet  on  Monday, 
the  17th  day  of  July,  at  8  o'clock  l\  M.,  and  in  the  meantime 
such  plans  and  specitications  as  the  authors  may  consent  to  exhibit 
be  open  to  the  public  in  general,  from  8  o'clock  A.  M.  to  1  o'clock 
P.  M.,  in  the  Common  Council  chamber,  in  charge  of  the  Keeper 
and  Assistant  Keeper  of  the  City  Hall. 

On  the  17th  of  July  no  vote  was  taken  m  the  matter  of 
choosing  an  architc(!t,  though  debate  was  had  thereon. 

AUGUST  2 -THIRTY-THIKD  VOTE. 

For  Ckouks — Aid.  Burnet,  Sterling,  Black,  Corr,  Kane,  Mur 
tha,  Gunder,  Donovan,  Reardon,  Jennison — 10. 
For  MuNDELL — Aid.  Fritz,  Hill — 2. 

For  MuMFORD — Aid.  Rowk-y,  Arnott,  Griswold,  Cottrell, 
French — 5. 

For  DiTMARS — Aid.  Ray,  Williams,  Sigrist,  Fisher— 4. 

FORTY-FIRST  VOTE. 

For  Crooks — Aid  Sterling,  Black,  Corr,  Kane,  ]\Iurtha,  Gun- 
der, Donovan,  Reardon,  Jennison — 9. 

For  MuNDELL — Aid  Ray,  Parker,  Acker,  Cottrell,  Williams, 
Sigrist,  Iritz,  Hill — 8. 

For  DiTMARS — Aid.  Fisher — 1. 

For  MuMFORD — Aid.  Burnet,  Rowley,  Arnott,  Griswold, French 
—5. 

6 


42 


MUNICIPAL  DE'^ARTMENT  BUILDING. 


Oil  the  14tli  of  August,  at  a  special  session,  called  by  His  Honor 
the  Mayor,  Aid.  Fisher  offered  the  following  resolution,  which 
was  adopted  by  a  vote  of  twelve  to  ten: 

'■'■Resolved,  That  John  Mumford  and  William  B.  Ditmars  be 
and  they  are  hereby  appointed  as  joint  architects  for  the  new 
Municipal  Building,  at  a  total  salary  of  five  thousand  (5,000)  dol- 
lars for  the  entire  work,  the  same  to  be  paid  them  at  such  times 
and  in  such  amounts  as  may  be  directed  and  certified  to  by  the 
Special  Committee  on  erection  of  a  new  Municipal  Building." 

The  friends  of  each  of  the  respective  plans  having  failed  to 
agree  after  so  many  attempts,  it  was  deemed  advisable  by  a  ma- 
jority of  the  Board  to  unite  upon  two  architects  at  no  additional 
expense.  No  one  of  the  plans  presented  met  the  entire  approval 
of  any  of  those  of  the  Board  who  were  familiar  with  them.  They 
were  prepared  by  men  who  were  not  familiar  with  the  detail  of 
the  requirements,  and  whichever  plan  was  chosen  would  need 
much  remodelling.  The  two  archiiects  thus  chosen  were  required 
by  the  committee  to  prepare  entirely  new  plans,  embodying  sug- 
gestions made  by  the  committee  the  more  fitly  to  meet  the  wants 
of  the  departments  which  were  to  occu])y  the  building. 

The  combination  of  architects  proved  very  successful.  Com- 
plete harmony  ]>rcvailed,  and  the  result  ])roves  the  selection  to 
have  been  a  ])eculiarly  fortunate  one.  The  skill  displayed,  the 
taste  developed,  the  promptness  and  despatch  which  charactei'ized 
their  labors,  the  economy  manifested  in  every  l)ranch  of  the  work, 
and  the  fidelity  with  which  they  have  caused  the  labor  to  be  per- 
formed, have  earned  for  them  the  gratitude  of  the  public.  The 
architectural  beauty  and  finish  of  the  exterior  of  the  building, 
and  the  ada])tation  of  the  interior  to  the  purposes  of  its  erection, 
are  highly  creditable,  and  are  confidently  submitted  to  the  test  of 
unbiassed  criticism.     Had  it  not  been  for  the  valuable  aid  of 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAETMENT  BUILDING. 


43 


jMessrs.  MuMFOUD  and  Dit.mars  the  committee  would  hardly  have 
been  able  to  present  such  a  building  for  so  comparatively  small  a 
sum.  Tlie  committee  desire  to  make  this  record  of  their  appre- 
ciation of  the  architects. 

On  the  14th  of  August,  Messrs.  Schultz  <Sz  Steinmetz  were,  upon 
their  request,  permitted  to  witlidraw  their  plans  without  compen- 
sation therefor. 

The  following  resolutions  were,  at  the  same  date,  upon  the  re- 
commendation of  tlie  committee,  adopted: 

'•'•Resolved,  That  the  Committee  on  Municipal  Building  is  au- 
thorized to  procure  such  necessary  printing,  stationery,  and  other 
incidental  supplies  as  may  be  re(pxired,  the  same  to  be  charged  to 
the  account  for  the  erection  of  the  Municipal  Building. 

'•'•  liesoh^ed.  That  the  specitications,  when  prepared  for  tlie  new 
building,  be  printed  as  a  document  of  this  Board,  and  one  hun- 
dred extra  copies  be  printed  thereof." 

This  document  is  numbered  l'5  of  the  documents  of  1876,  and 
will  be  found  to  be  very  complete  and  specific.  The  specifications 
met  the  warm  approval  of  all  the  bidders,  by  reason  of  their  ap- 
proach to  perfection  in  detail,  and  tlieir  c(jmprehensive  character. 

On  the  25th  of  September,  Aldermen  Muktha  and  Jennison 
tendered  their  resignations  as  memljers  of  the  committee,  which 
resignations  were  not  accepted,  by  a  vote  of  13  to  8.  They,  how- 
ever, ceased  to  take  further  active  part  m  the  labors  of  the  com- 
mittee, though  Aid  Jknnison  occasionally  met  with  his  colleagues. 

INSPECTOR. 

On  the  13th  of  November  an  election  was  had  by  the  Common 
Council  for  Inspector  of  the  building  during  its  construction. 


44 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAETMENT  BUI  [.DING. 


Tlie  result  was,  ]\Iichael  J.  Uady,  13  ;  ]\Iark  Phraner,  8  ;  Jolin  S. 
Bogert,  2.  Mr.  Dady  was  appointed  at  a  salary  of  $120  per 
month  from  January  1,  1877. 

Here,  again,  tlie  committee  and  the  public  were  extremely  for- 
tunate. Mr.  Dady  proved  to  be  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary 
care,  watchfulness,  and  ability.  His  entire  course  during  his  stay 
was  marked  by  a  zealous  devotion  to  the  interests  of  the  city,  and 
his  ample  fitness  for  the  position  was  a  source  of  reliance  and  sat- 
isfaction to  the  committee.  He  served  fourteen  months,  when 
he  resigned  to  accept  another  important  trust  under  a  branch  of 
the  city  government.  The  work  had,  however,  progressed  at 
that  stage  so  that  the  services  of  an  inspector  were  no  longer 
needed.  Alderman  French  giving  his  time  to  a  general  supervision 
of  the  work  from  the  date  of  Mi'.  Dadi's  resignation  until  the 
completioTi  of  the  building. 

PnOPOSA  LS. 

Tiie  architects  having  completed  the  plans  and  specifications, 
.  on  the  2d  of  October,  187*),  the  committee  invited  bids  for  the 
several  branches  of  the  work,  which  were  divided,  as  will  appear. 
Twelve  was  the  limit  of  bidders  for  each  branch,  beyond  which 
the  Common  Council  had  decided  not  to  go.  As  far  as  practica- 
ble, the  full  number  of  each  branch  was  invited,  and,  with  the 
exception  of  the  marble  and  iron  work,  all  were  parties  doing 
business  in  Brooklyn.  ]5idders  for  marble  work  were  allowed  to 
bid  on  any  quarry  they  chose,  the  committee  to  select  the  lowest 
of  the  best  quarrj'  named.  The  marble  work  fell  to  a  Westchester 
man,  while  all  the  other  successful  bidders  were  Brooklyn  arti- 
sans. Tlie  heating  and  ventilating  plans  were  excluded  at  the 
first  bidding.    The  bids  were  received  by  City  Clerk  William 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


45 


Ct.  Bishop  up  to  two  o'clock  p.  m.  oh  the  12tli  of  October,  and 
tliey  n-ere  l)y  him  immediatelj'  opened,  in  the  Common  Council 
Chamber,  in  the  presence  of  the  bidders  and  the  committee.  The 
bids  were  as  follows : 

PROPOSALS  FOR  MARBLE  WOKK. 


Martin  Dixon  $45,200  00 

Martin  Dixon   41,200  00 

Magill  &  Binnie   46,124  00 

Christmas  &  Ross   33,125  00 

Alexander  Maxwell   34,000  00 

Gill,  Baird  &  Co   35,860  00 

H.  W.  Mitchell   36,145  00 

Sinclair  &  Milne   31,221  00 

J.  M.  Masterton   28,200  00 

PROPOSALS  FOR  IRON  WORK. 

J.  B.  &  J.  M.  Cornell  $55,789  00 

D.  Y.  Saxton   47,500  00 

McKinley  &  Swack   49,950  00 

Huvelman,  Havens  &  Co   49,657  00 

D.  D.  Boyce   47,381  00 

PIIOPOSALS  FOR  MASON  WORK. 

T.  Lamb,  Jr  $65,725  00 

J.  W.  Campbell   78,000  00 

Geo.  Hadden   64,798  74 

John  Guilfoyle   78,000  00 

C.  Cameron   74.500  00 

Baltzer  Eauth   78,420  00 

Trowbridge  &  Crane   72,400  00 

Thos.  B.  Rutan   68,500  00 

J.  II.  O'Rourke   69,745  00 

J.  H.  Stevenson   79,250  00 

Thos.  Gibbons   71,000  00 

Raybold  &  Tostevin   74,290  00 


4r 


46  Municipal  department  building. 


PROPOSALS  FOR  CARPENTER  WORK. 

This  proposal  called  for  bids  liotli  tor  yellow  pine  and  white 
pine  finish, 

P   V  O'Pr.-pn  ^  YeUow  pine  $49,400  00 

'^^-^I'en  ^  White  pine   4:4-,300  00 

John  Fallon   !  ^,^,"7  ^ ??'nnn  no 

(White  pine   37,000  00 

\\r-  1  ,  p  1,     1           (  Yellow  pine   56,4-90  00 

W  rio'hl  ife  Brooks.  ..  .  <  ,,7,  k., /.aa  aa 

®                        (White  pine   53,690  00 

TT    ,       ,j     1            (Yellow  pine   49,418  00 

^^^^'^^  -(White  iSine   45;718  00 

Q                         (  Yellow  pine   38,970  00 

J  White  pine   36,730  00 

v   r    T  I                   ^  Yellow  pine   44,000  00 

111.    Jj.    JOJinSOn  <    ,^7,                 '.  OA    t;AA  AA 

(White  pine   39,500  00 

Yellow  pine   42,797  00 

White  pine   39,197  00 


John  Lee. 


„    1  (Yellow  pine   43,250  00 

1).  LTallao-lier   •  inn        •  /ia  oka  aa 

(White  pine   40,250  00 

-r      p,  ^Yellow  pine   45,700  00 

  (White  pine   44,050  00 

J  rt  T     \.  (Y'ellow  pine   43,300  00 

J.  J5.  Jacobs   ^  White  pine   39,150  00 


PROPOSALS  FOR  PLUMBING  AND  OAS  FITTING  WORK. 

This  proposal  called  for  bids  upon  hot  water  fixtures,  and  with- 
out hot  water  fixtures. 

p  J  ^  With  hot  water  $6,500  00 

r.  Mime,  Jr.,   (Without  hot  water  6,010  00 

T      T?  ^M  ^^  M  With  hot  water   5,700  00 

Jas.  iL.  Webb  (Without  hot  water   5,000  00 

(  With  hot  water   6,453  00 

 (  Without  hot  water   6,053  00 

(WitK  ho^  water   5,432  00 

  (Without  hot  water   4,992  00 

„    ,„    „                  ^  With  hot  water   7,056  86 

Lt.  W.  (.ocrer  (Without  hot  water   6,404  86 


M.  J.  Erien 
M.  Kessell. 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


47 


.       ,         e  -ui    1  •    ^  With  hot  water  $6,620  00 

Armstrong  &  Blackm  |  ^.^^^^^^^  j^^^    g^^^^ 

J      TT   1  ^  With  hot  water   5,4-9100 

jas.  ±laney  Without  hot  water   4,943  00 

The  ao;2:re2:ate  of  the  lowest  of  the  foreo-oino;  bids  was 
$182,052.74,  wliich  with  an  estimated  amount  set  apart  for  heat- 
ing and  ventilating  $18,000  00 

Excavation  of  cellar  .,   1,586  20 

Cost  of  superintendence   1,200  00 

Architects'  fees   5,000  00 

Contingencies   5,000  00 

Exceeded  the  appropriation  by  the  amount  of  $12,833.94:. 

The  committee  found  it  necessary  tlierefore  to  modify  the 
plans  so  as  to  bring  the  cost  below  $200,000.  This  was  done  by 
some  changes  in  the  mason  work,  iron  work,  and  carpenter  work. 
The  amended  specifications  therefor  are  part  of  Document  No. 
25,  heretofore  alluded  to.  The  principal  modifications  made  to 
accomplish  this  scaling  down  was  that  of  removing  two  tiers  of 
iron  beams  from  the  third  and  fourth  floors,  and  substituting 
therefor  wooden  beams  with  solid  fireproof  arch  blocks  between. 

It  is  not  necessary  to  comment  upon  tlie  effect  of  this  altera- 
tion, as  subsequently  it  was  ascertained  that  the  cost  of  heating 
and  ventilating  was  sufficiently  less  than  the  estimated  amount, 
to  allow  replacing  the  iron  beams  according  to  original  specifica- 
tions. Tills,  however,  was  not  made  apparent  until  after  the 
other  contracts  had  been  awarded.  To  reach  a  result  under  the 
foregoing  modified  specifications  the  committee  invited  the  three 
lowest  bidders  of  each  of  the  three  classes  aflfected.  The  result 
of  this  competition  was  tlie  reception  of  t!ie  following  lowest  bids: 

Mason  work— W.  &  T.  Lamb  $60,729  GO 

Carpenter  work — John  Fallon   37,692  00 

Iron  work— D.  Y.  Saxton   35,034  00 


48 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


D.  D.  Boyce  claimed  right  of  separate  bid  for  iron  anchors, 
1540,  which  is  not  inchided  in  Saxton's  hid  as  above  stated, 
which  claim  was  allowed. 

The  Committee  on  the  23d  of  October  awarded  the  contracts 
to  the  lowest  bidders,  respectively,  as  follows : 

Mason  Work— W.  &  T.  Lamb,  of  Brooklyn,  for  si.xty  thou- 
sand seven  hundred  and  twenty-nine  dollars  (|60,729). 

Iron  Work — D.  Y.  Saxton,  of  Brooklyn,  for  thirty-live  thou- 
sand and  thirty-four  dollars  ($35,034). 

Nine  Thousand  Iron  Anchors — D.  D.  Boyce,  of  Brooklyn, 
for  five  hundred  and  forty  dollars  ($540). 

Marble  Work — John  W.  Masterton,  of  New  York,  for  twen- 
ty eight  thousand  and  two  lumdred  dollars  ($28,200). 

Plumbing  and  Gas  Fitting — James  Harley,  of  Brooklyn,  for 
four  thousand  nine  hundred  and  forty-three  dollars  (4,943). 

Caupenter  Work — John  Fallon,  of  Brooklyn,  for  thirty-seven 
thousand  six  hundred  and  ninety-two  dollars  ($37,692). 

These  contracts,  prepared  under  the  direction  of  the  Cor[)ora- 
tion  Counsel,  were  duly  executed  by  his  Honor  the  Mayor,  on 
behalf  of  the  Common  Council  and  the  city,  and  by  the  respect- 
ive parties,  each  of  them  giving  satisfactory  sureties  in  the  penal 
sum  of  tifty  per  cent  of  the  amount  of  their  respective  bids; 
and  the  contracts,  together  with  the  bonds,  tiled  in  the  Comp- 
troller's office. 

The  time  fixed  in  the  contracts  for  the  completion  of  the  build- 
ing, ready  for  occupancy,  was  Febrnarj'  1,  1878.  The  terms  of 
payment  are  in  accordance  with  the  usual  custom. 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BDILDING. 


49 


HEATING  AND  VENTILATING. 

Tlie  committee  having  in  view  tlie  many  failures  in  the  matter 
of  ventilating  public  buildings,  were  much  perplexed  as  to  the 
proper  course  to  pursue.  The  architects  had  prepared  plans 
upon  the  ordinary  methods  in  use,  but  they  had  so  frequently 
proven  ineffective  that  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  seek  special 
scientific  aid  in  that  direction.  The  committee,  therefore,  sought 
the  services  of  Messrs.  Lewis  Leeds  &  Co.,  a  firm  well  known  fs 
successful  in  ventilating  many  public  buildings,  and  who  sustain 
a  high  reputation  as  scientific  and  skillful  men  in  that  branch  of 
business.  This  firm  laid  before  the  committee  the  plan  now  in 
use  in  the  building.  By  direction  of  the  Common  Council,  De- 
cember 18,  it  was  approved,  IMessrs.  Leeds  it  Co.  being  paid 
$750  therefor.  Bids  were  received  and  opened  on  the  14th  day 
of  December  (the  proposals  being  for  both  the  architects'  and 
Messrs.  Leeds  &  Co.'s  plans),  as  follows : 

On  A'-chitects'  On  Leeds  & 

Plan.  Co.'s  Plan. 

Eutzler&Ives  $14,435  $13,885 

Baker,  Smith  &  Co                                  18,425  11,330 

Jamer,  Jacobs  &  Co   15,400   

Bramhall,  Deane  &  Co                             20,800  20,900 

Davidson  &  Mars   14,840   

W.  H.  Warner   22,500   

On  the  26th  of  December  the  contract  was  awarded  to  Messrs. 
Jamer,  Jacobs  &  Co.,  of  New  York,  for  the  sum  of  $11,330, 
and  was  duly  executed  and  filed  in  the  Comptroller's  oflice. 

The  committee  trust  it  may  prove  a  satisfactory  plan.  They 
possess  no  practical  skill  to  judge  of  its  character,  and  can  only 
hope  that  it  will  accomplish  tlie  desired  result. 

On  the  26th  of  December  the  committee  made  a  full  report  of 
their  proceedings  for  1876  (see  Document  No.  33  of  that  year). 

7 


50 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


On  the  same  date,  upon  motion  of  Aid.  Arnott,  of  the  Eiglitli 
ward,  the  following  resolutions  were  adopted  ; 

^^liesolved,  That  tlie  following  Aldermen,  namely  :  the  Alder- 
man of  the  Twentieth;  the  Ald(>rman  of  the  Ninth  ;  the  Alderman 
of  the  Eigliteenth  ;  the  Alderman  of  the  Twenty-third  and  the 
Alderman  of  tlie  Twenty-fom-th  wards,  shall  contimie  in  charge 
of  the  construction  of  the  new  Municipal  Building  until  otherwise 
ordered  by  the  Common  Council  of  1877. 

^'■liesolved,  Tliat  (m  completion  of  the  Municipal  Building,  now 
in  progress  of  erection,  the  heads  of  the  various  departments  of 
the  city  government  shall  occuj)y,  with  their  departments,  clerks, 
and  other  employes,  the  rooms  and  spaces  allotted  to  tliem,  as 
shown  on  the  plans  now  prepared  for  said  building." 

The  first  of  these  resolutions  was  adopted,  by  approval  of  the 
committee,  in  order  that  there  might  be  no  lapse  of  superintendence 
during  the  time  intervening  between  the  outgoing  Board  and  the 
organization  of  the  incoming  Board.  It  placed  the  work  in  charge 
of  Aldermen  from  certain  wards  instead  of  a  committee.  The 
practical  result  of  this  resolution  was  no  change  in  the  personnel 
of  the  committee,  the  aldermen  forming  the  same  being  members 
of  the  Board  for  1877,  and  representing  the  wards  named  in  the 
resolution. 

The  Alderman  from  the  Twenty- fourth  ward,  Aid,  Jennison, 
had  given  but  little  attention  to  the  work,  and  the  Alderman  from 
the  Ninth  ward.  Aid.  Murtha,  had  not  taken  any  part  in  the 
labors  of  the  committee  from  the  time  of  choosing  the  architect  up 
to  this  time,  nor  did  either  of  them  thereafter.  For  all  practical 
purposes,  the  labor  and  responsibility  connected  with  the  work 
of  the  committee  has  devolved  upon  Aldermen  French,  Williams 
and  Fisher. 

The  second  resolution  was  adopted  to  avoid  CDufusion  in  the 
changes  which  might  be  made,  by  requiring  action  of  the  Common 
Council  to  make  such  changes,  thereliy  making  of  them  a  record. 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAETJVIENT  BUILDING. 


51 


Tliis  was  the  last  official  act  oji  tlie  subject  of  the  building 
dimng  187G. 

At  this  time  the  foundation  walls  were  nearly'  all  laid  up  to  the 
level  of  the  street,  and  were  covered  over  for  the  winter,  work 
being  suspended  until  the  frost  should  leave  the  ground  in  the 
spring. 

MAYOR'S  2rESSAGE,  1877. 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  annual  Message  of  His 
Honor  Mayor  Frederick  A.  Schroeder  : 

THE    MUXICIl'AL  BUILDINti. 

"  The  new  Municipal  Building  is  under  contract,  and  will  be 
ready  for  occupation  about  the  first  day  of  January,  1878.  The 
building  will  be  an  ornament  to  the  city,  and  is  admirably 
arranged  to  meet  a  want  which  has  long  been  felt.  It  will  be 
entirely  fireproof,  and  the  appropriation  of  $200,000  heretofore 
made  is  amply  sufficient  for  its  completion.  Much  credit  is  due 
to  the  committee  having  this  matter  in  cliarge,  for  their  untiring 
efforts  to  secure  the  best  possible  structure  within  the  appropria- 
tion. Two  al)le  architects,  who  fully  concur  in  the  plans,  have 
the  direction  of  the  work,  and  tirst-class  mechanics  are  employed, 
and  if  your  honorable  body  will  see  to  it  that  the  future  super- 
vision on  the  part  of  the  city  authorities  shall  be  no  less  careful 
and  able  than  that  exercised  by  the  Board  of  last  year,  I  have  no 
doubt  that  the  taxpayers  will  be  well  pleased  with  the  result." 

As  soon  as  the  weather  permitted  the  mason  contractors  began 
forwarding  the  work.  Steady  and  faithful  progress  was  made  by 
each  contractor  from  that  time  until  the  completion,  which  was 
practically  efi:ected  on  the  15th  of  April,  1878,  though  the  build- 
ing was  not  formally  accepted  from  their  hands  luitil  a  few  weeks 
later,  as  will  appear. 

It  will  be  seen  l)y  reference  to  the  bids  for  heating  and  venti- 
lating, upon  the  architects'  plan,  that  they  give  evidence  that  the 


52  MUNICIPAL  DEFAKTMENT  BUILDlKfi. 

estimate  of  $20,C00  reserved  foi-  that  purpose  was  a  reasonal)le 
one.  Subsequent  to  awarding  tlie  other  contracts  was  tlie  em- 
ployment of  Messrs.  Leeds  &  Co.,  before  alhided  to.  Tliis  firm 
came  witli  such  strong  recommendations,  and  made  such  pro- 
fessions of  abihty  to  give  good  ventilation  at  a  large  reduction 
from  the  amovmt  estimated,  and  having  a  strong  desire  to  find 
means  within  the  appropriaticjn  to  replace  the  iron  floor  beams, 
for  which  wooden  oTies  had  been  substituted,  the  committee 
recommended  their  employment,  as  before  stated.  The  saving 
was  nearly  $9,000.  There  was  at  that  time  an  estimated  surplus 
of  about  $4,500  for  contingencies.  Tliese  two  sums  together — 
$13,500 — was  deemed  sutticient  to  warrant  the  attempt  to  im- 
prove the  work  by  iron  beams.    Negotiations  with  the  bidders 


effected  the  following  propositions : 

Additional  Cost — Iron  beams  $12,341  00 

Mason  work   581  58 

$12,922  58 

Deductions — Wooden  beams  $1,578  00 

Iron  work  at  well  holes   490  00 

2,068  00 

Total  increase  $10,854  58 


Which  figures  were  adopted,  and  on  the  IGtli  of  February  the 
change  ordered.  This  left  less  thati  $1,400  for  contingencies. 
This  amount  was  deemed  by  many  as  too  small  to  warrant  the 
risk,  upon  so  large  a  building,  of  finding  demands  for  "  extras  " 
which  could  not  be  met.  Every  alteration  found  desirable,  every 
omission  of  the  architects,  and  all  contingent  expenses  were  to 
be  supplied  with  less  than  $1,400.  How  well  the  committee  met 
tliat  emergency  is  displayed  in  an  accompanying  table,  setting 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


6n 


Ibrtli  eaeli  item  of  cxpeiidltiin'  in  tliut  helialf,  as  well  as  all  de- 
ductions wliich  coiiti-ibuted  tliereto.  Tliat  it  recjuired  very  dose 
figuring  and  extreme  watclifulness  over  expenditures  to  keep 
within  tliis  amount  those  familiar  witli  necessary  extras  in  build- 
ing will  readily  comprehend. 

In  March,  upon  the  application  of  the  manufacturers  of  various 
styles  of  boilers  for  heating,  a  committee  of  three  citizens,  con- 
sisting of  JosEPir  Platt.  William  II.  IIazzaud,  and  Akthur 
Crooks  were,  by  tlie  Common  Council  upon  recommendation,  re- 
quested to  report  to  the  Board  as  to  the  feasibility  of  changing 
the  specifications  from  tubular  boilers  to  some  other  style.  The 
committee  never  reported  to  the  Board,  but  their  views  privately 
furnished  the  committee  influenced  them  to  make  no  change. 

On  the  2d  of  April  the  President  of  the  Board  of  Aldermen, 
William  H.  Ray,  who  had  only  recently  been  elected,  appointed 
the  Aldermen  then  in  charge  of  the  new  building  as  a  standing 
committee.  The  question  of  the  power  to  make  such  appoint- 
ment was  referred  to  the  C  orporation  Counsel  for  report.  Inas- 
much as  it  was  no  change  in  the  complexion  of  the  committee  no 
report  was  made,  but  the  Aldermen  in  charge  continued  to  exer- 
cise their  functions  under  the  resolution  of  December  26,  1876. 
Alderman  Murtha  resigned  from  the  committee  on  the  above 
date.  At  the  next  meeting  of  the  lioard,  April  9,  his  resigna- 
tion was  accepted  and  the  President  requested  to  fill  the  vacancy, 
which  he  did  on  the  ISrh  of  August  by  appointing  the  Alderman 
of  the  Twelfth  ward,  James  Donovan. 

The  City  Boiler  Inspector,  Thomas  F.  Powers,  was  by  the 
Common  Council  directed  to  supervise  the  construction  of  the 
boiler  and  heating  apparatus  in  the  new  building,  which  service 
was  carefully  performed. 


54 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


TNVKSTIGA  TION. 

Tliougli  all  the  recommendations  of  the  Aldermen  in  cliarge  of 
construction  were  adopted  by  a  inajority  of  the  Common  Council, 
it  is  not  designed  in  this  report  to  create  the  impression  that  there 
existed  entire  harmony  in  reference  to  the  proceedings.  The 
question  of  choosing  the  architects  was  not  by  any  means  an  ex- 
ceptional one.  The  history  of  most  public  buildings,  the  archi- 
tects of  which  have  been  chosen  by  legislative  bodies,  reveals  the 
fact  that  there  is  usually  more  or  less  strife  connected  therewith. 
Our  own  public  buildings  are  no  exception  to  the  rule.  Not  one 
of  them  was  erected  without  more  or  less  struggle  as  to  who 
should  superintend  the  architecture.  The  prolonged  contest  in 
ihis  instance  was  not  without  its  exciting  incidents,  and  simulta- 
neous with  the  result  arose  an  indiiference,  or  at  least  a  desire 
not  to  be  responsible  for  the  manner  in  which  its  construction 
should  be  effected,  on  the  part  of  a  minority  of  the  committee. 
The  majority  i-epeatedly  expressed  their  regret  at  this  result,  and 
particularly  at  the  loss  of  the  advice,  skill  and  judgment  of  Alder- 
man MuRTHA,  who  had  long  been  connected  with  pul)lic  affairs, 
and  who  was  well  adapted  to  furnish  material  assistance.  It  is 
not  the  purpose  of  an  ofHciul  record  to  discuss  motives,  or  allude 
to  questions  of  political  consideration,  and  there  is  therefore 
nothing  proper  to  be  said  in  this  connection  except  to  allude  to 
the  fact  that  the  official  acts  of  the  Board  of  Aldermen,  and  of  tlie 
committee,  were  by  a  portion  of  the  press,  and  of  the  public,  the 
suljject  of  criticism,  and  that  the  work  of  the  architects  was  also 
subjected  to  the  same  ordeal.  The  committee  are  satisfied  to 
submit  the  fruit  of  their  labors  to  a  discriminating  public,  con- 
scious of  a  duty  faithfully  and  successfully  performed. 

On  the  Gth  of  September,  1877,  Alderman  Murtlia  offered  the 
following  : 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


55 


"  Jiesolvcd,  That  there  be  a  special  committee  of  live  members 
of  the  Board  appointed  to  investigate  as  to  the  manner  of  the 
execution  of  the  contracts  for  tlie  erection  of  the  new  Municipal 
Building,  with  power  to  send  for  persons  and  papers,  and  that 
Aid.  Black,  Acker,  Burnet,  Easton  and  Phillips  shall  constitute 
such  committee,  and  that  they  report  the  result  of  their  investi- 
gation at  the  next  regular  meeting  of  the  Board." 

Aid.  Black  declined  to  serve,  and,  upon  Aid.  Muktha'.s  mo- 
tion, Aid.  DuANE  was  substituted  in  his  stead,  and  the  resolution 
was  unanimously  adopted. 

It  is  due  the  architects,  contractors  and  the  committee,  whose 
acts  were  to  be  scrutinized  by  this  committee  of  investigation,  to 
say  that  tlie  investigating  committee  was  not  named  in  the  usual 
manner  by  the  President  of  the  Board,  but  by  the  mover  of  the 
resolution,  who  declared,  in  making  the  motion,  that  he  was  in- 
formed that  there  was  good  ground  for  an  examination  such  as 
was  provided  for  in  his  resolution. 

The  investigation  extended  over  a  period  of  five  weeks,  there 
having  been  six  meetings  of  the  committee,  at  three  of  which  a 
large  amount  of  testimony  was  taken,  principally  that  of  archi- 
tects and  experts  in  building.  The  examination  was  mainly  con- 
ducted on  the  part  of  the  committee  by  its  Chairman,  Aid.  Duane, 
and  on  behalf  of  the  Aldermen  in  charge  of  construction  of  the 
building,  l)y  Aid.  Fjshkr.  Full  stenographic  notes  were  taken  by 
Wm.  Walton,  Stenographer  to  the  Board  of  Aldermen,  and  the 
testimony  taken  appears  in  Common  Council  Document,  No.  46, 
1877.  Inasmuch  as  those  interested  in  the  details  of  the  investi- 
gation will  find  them  complete  in  said  document,  a  brief  review 
of  the  course  of  proceeding  will  suffice. 

The  investigating  committee  placed  itself  iit  possession  of  all 
the  contracts  and  documents  existing  concerning  the  new  building, 


56 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


and  required  a  report  from  the  Aldermen  in  charge,  of  all  changes 
from  the  specifications  which  had  l)een  made.  This  report  was 
lurnished  in  the  following  language  : 

To  the  Comiinttee  of  Investigation  into  the  Manner  of  Executing 
the  Contract  for  the  New  Municipal  Building  : 
The  Aldermen  in  charge  of  the  construction  of  said  Iniilding, 

referring  to  your  communication  of  the  13th  inst.,  respectfully 

reply : 

We  herewith  hand  you  copies  of  the  specifications,  with  modi- 
fications thereof,  they  being  comprised  in  Document  No.  25,  pro- 
ceedings of  Board  of  Aldermen  for  1876. 

We  also  hand  you  herewith  copy  of  Document  No.  33  of  the 
same  year,  to  which  we  respectfully  refer  you  (pages  1317,  1322 
to  1325)  tor  a  list  of  all  the  bidders  upon  the  contracts  for  the 
New  Municipal  Building. 

We  are  not  enabled  to  furnish  you  the  contracts  requested  in 
your  communication,  as  they  are  in  the  possession  of  the  Comp- 
troller, nor  have  we  a  list  of  the  sureties,  tuej'  also  being  on  file 
with  the  Comptroller. 

In  addition  to  the  alterations  as  tliey  appear  on  tlie  modified 
specifications,  the  following  have  been  made: 

MASON  WORK. 

1.  Brick  walls  below  the  water  taljle  faced  witli  Colaburg  brick, 
instead  of  rough  brick, 

2.  Doorway  in  one  of  the  brick  walls  in  the  Tax  Office  in- 
creased in  width  from  3  feet  4  inches  to  5  feet. 

3.  Brick  arches  in  all  tlie  floors,  instead  of  Wanner's  building 
material. 

4.  Eear  wall  of  fourth  stor}'-  increased  in  thickness  from  12 
inches  to  16  inches. 

5.  AVater-table  around  the  building  6  by  13  inches,  instead  of 
6  by  8  inches. 

6.  Building  2  feet  6  inches  shorter  on  the  east  side  than  shown 
in  plans. 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


57 


MARBLE  WORK. 

1.  Tlie  letteifs  A.  D.  substituted  for  figures  1876  on  one  of  the 
marble  panels  on  the  front. 

IRON  WORK. 

1.  Cast  instead  of  rolled  lintels  over  the  basement  windows. 

2.  Eighty-eight  cast-iron  ventilation  boxes  omitted. 

3.  Finial  on  large  tower  made  of  galvanized  iron,  with  wrought 
iron  frame,  instead  of  cast-iron. 

4.  Five  iron  "T"  lintels  furnished  over  the  vault  doors,  3  feet 
6  inches  in  length  each, 

5  Three  cast-iron  "T"  beams  over  the  fourth  story  corridor 
columns,  two  7  feet  9  inches  in  length,  and  one  10  feet  6  inches 
in  length. 

6.  Six  rolled  iron  lintels  over  the  front  windows  to  carry  the 
ends  of  girders,  about  8  feet  in  length,  each. 

7.  Colunms  and  antge  in  the  corridors  cast  about  3-8  inches 
less  in  thickness  than  called  fur. 

CARPENTER  WORK. 

1.  Paint  galvanized  iron  cornice  over  the  marble  front,  on  the 
inside. 

2.  Leaders  changed  in  size  from  4  inches  to  5  inches. 

PLmiBING  WORK. 

1.  Gas  drops  changed  to  centre  of  brick  arches. 

2.  Sewer  connections  extended  one  on  each  side  of  building. 
The  authority  for  the  foregoing  alterations  is  comprised  in  the 

resolutions  passed  from  time  to  time  by  the  Common  Council,  to 
which  reference  is  respectfully  made;  the  authority  to  "super- 
vise the  erection  of  the  building,"  to  "  award  the  contracts,"  to 
"  procure  necessary  incidentals,"  and  the  repeated  refusals  of  the 
Board  to  require  the  specifications  to  be  submitted  to  them,  in 
our  judgment,  conferred  the  necessary  authority.  For  more  par- 
ticular reference  we  respectfully  refer  you  to  the  Minutes — viz. : 

8 


58 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAETMENT  BUILDING. 


June  12,  187G,  vol  2,  page  410. 
July  3,  1876,  vol.  2,  page  625. 
August  U,  1870,  vol.  2,  page  787. 
October  16,  1876,  vol.  3,  page  4-10. 
October  30,  1876,  vol.  3,  page  525. 
December  26,  1876,  vol.  3,  page  983-984. 
And  Document  No.  33,  herewith  presented. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

By  order, 

F.  B.  FISHER, 

Sec.  of  Aid.  in  charge. 

At  the  first  meeting  of  the  committee  at  which  testimony  was 
taken  several  bidders  on  the  work  were  examined  as  to  the  pro- 
priety of  the  course  of  the  Building  Committee  in  inviting  throe 
only  of  the  lowest  bidders  to  compete  upon  the  modified  specifica- 
tiuns,  vi^hich  modifications  were  made  in  consequence  of  the  change 
from  iron  beams  to  wooden  beams.  These  witnesses  were  all 
called  on  behalf  of  the  investigation,  and  all  testified  that  the 
course  of  the  committee  was  in  accordance  with  the  usual  custom. 

At  the  same  meeting  Aid.  Phillips  offered  the  following  resolu- 
tions, which  were  adopted  : 

"  liesoloed,  That  Mr.  D.  C.  Weeks  and  Mr.  J.  A.  Horgan  be 
recpiested  to  examine  the  new  Municipal  Building,  likewise  phms 
and  specifications  for  same,  and  to  re])ort  to  this  connnittee  the 
quality  and  character  of  materials  used,  the  manner  of  workman- 
ship, and  such  suggestions  relative  to  the  safety,  utility  and  sta- 
bility of  said  building  as  they  deem  to  be  in  the  interest  of  the 
city. 

'''■Resolved,  That  Mr.  W.  T.  Van  Zandtbe  requested  to  examine 
the  fire-proof  blocks  now  being  used  in  new  Municipal  Building, 
and  report  to  this  committee  his  opinion  relative  to  their  durabil- 
ity, strength  and  general  adaptation  for  the  purposes  required  " 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


59 


All  of  the  above  named  persons  being  unknown  to  the  Building 
Committee,  they  asked  through  thoir  representative,  Aid.  Fisher, 
to  be  allowed  to  select  an  equal  number  of  experts  to  co-operate 
with  those  gentlemen  in  their  examination.  This  request  was 
granted,  and  the  Building  Committee  subsequently  selected  G.  L. 
Morse,  a  well  known  Brooklyn  architect  of  high  reputation,  and 
James  Locke,  also  well  and  favorably  known  as  one  of  the  most 
extensive  builders  in  the  city,  to  be  associated  with  Messrs. 
Weeks  and  Horgan  ;  and  Thomas  Stent,  an  expert  architect, 
was  chosen  to  be  associated  with  Mr.  Van  Zandt.  These  re- 
spective experts  were  afforded  every  facility  in  their  examination 
of  the  l)uilding,  and  they  subsequently  made  the  following  re- 
ports : 

To  the  Committee  of  Investigation  into  the  manner  of  executing 
the  contracts  for  the  erection  of  the  Nexo  Municipal  Building  : 
Gentlemen  : 

Your  committee  have  considered  it  beyond  the  province  of 
their  commission  to  consider  the  merits  of  the  general  plan  and 
design  of  the  building,  and  have  confined  themselves  to  a  dili- 
gent examination  of  tlie  work,  in  connection  with  the  various 
plans  and  constructional  drawings  furnished  Ijy  the  supervising 
architects,  the  contracts  on  file  in  tlie  Comptroller's  oflice,  and  the 
specifications  and  schedule  of  changes  furnished  by  the  Building 
Committee  (which  we  herewith  enclose  properly  marked),  for  the 
purpose  of  determining  whether  the  various  contracts  have  Iteen 
so  far  faithfully  executed ;  and  also  for  the  purpose  of  making 
such  suggestions  "  relative  to  the  safety  and  stability  of  said 
building,"  as  might  seem  to  be  "in  the  interest  of  the  city,"  as 
called  for  by  resolution  of  your  committee. 

It  is  proper  to  state  that  any  examination  of  the  building  at 
this  stage  of  the  work  must  necessarily  be  circumscribed  and 
imperfect,  inasmuch  as  a  large  proportion  of  the  material  and 
work  employed  has,  in  the  natiu-al  course,  become  hidden  from 
view,  and  impossible  of  inspection. 


60 


MUNICIPAL  DEPABTMENT  BUILDING. 


AUTHORIZED  CHANGES. 

The  changes  made  by  the  Building  Comniittee  in  the  original 
contracts,  and  the  extra  work  embodied  in  the  inclosed  report, 
viz. :  Items  of  mason  work  one  to  six  inclusive,  items  of  iron 
work  one  to  seven  inclusive,  items  of  carpenter  work  one  and 
two,  items  of  plumbing  work  one  and  two,  and  item  one  of  mar- 
ble work — we  deem  to  be  wise  and  expedient. 

DEVIATIONS. 

The  unauthorized  deviations  from  tlie  contracts  which  we  have 
been  able  to  discover  are  few,  considering  the  magnitude  of  the 
work,  and  generally  imimportant.  They  are  as  follows :  The 
front  roofs  are  specified  to  have  red  and  green  slate.  The  gut- 
ters are  specified  to  be  lined  with  galvanized  iron ;  are  lined  w'ith 
tin,  but  in  our  judgment  the  tin  is  as  good  or  better.  All  window 
frames  to  be  made  of  Georgia  pine,  are  made  of  white  pine. 
The  different  lengths  of  iron  girders  throughout  are  tied  together 
with  scrap-anchors,  smaller  in  size,  and  with  fewer  bolts  than 
specified.  There  are  also  a  few  changes  in  the  specification  for 
marble  work,  which  it  is  just  to  say  we  consider  will  average 
equal  to  the  requirements  of  the  contract.  The  joints  in  the 
stone  roof  of  portico,  however,  should  be  caulked  with  lead  as 
required.  A  considerable  quantity  of  "  up-river"  brick  have  been 
used  in  place  of  Haverstraw  brick  as  specified. 

SUGGESTIONS. 

We  consider  that  the  extensive  cutting  away  of  the  outside 
walls  in  the  second  story,  to  facilitate  the  introduction  of  steam 
pipes,  as  an  error  in  management,  is  much  to  be  regretted,  and 
recommend  that  thorough  measm-es  be  adopted  to  remedy  the 
fault.  Also,  that  the  placing  of  the  steam  and  return  pipes  in  the 
recesses  of  the  outside  walls  within  eight  inches  of  the  outside 
face  of  same  will  be  likely  to  result  in  frequent  freezing  in  the 
pipes,  rapid  condensation,  and  consequent  loss  of  fuel  and  im- 
paired circulation. 


4 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


61 


We  beg  to  suggest  that  the  joining  of  the  28-foot  iron  lieaders 
at  tlie  stairways  in  the  second,  third  and  fourth  tiers  of  ])eams,' 
witli  tlie  lateral  beams,  niiglit  (with  advantage)  be  improved. 
Also,  that  larger  bearing  stone  be  used  under  the  ends  of  iron  beams 
over  some  of  the  front  windows  where  are  the  lateral  girders. 

G.  L.  MORSE, 
JAMES  LOCKE. 

Gentlemen  : 

Having,  in  connection  with  other  experts,  examined  the  con- 
struction of  the  new  Municipal  Building,  Brooklyn,  we  beg  to 
state  that  w^e  concur  with  the  report  made  by  our  associates,  as 
far  as  it  goes,  but  deem  it  our  duty  to  mention  the  following  as 
being  of  vital  importance. 

First — That  the  slots,  or  recesses,  for  the  iron  pipes,  which  are 
cut  in  the  piers  between  the  side  windows,  cut  away  the  whole 
inside  half  of  the  wall  where  they  occur,  seriously  weaken  these 
piers  and  take  away  the  necessary  abutments  to  the  arches  over 
these  windows ;  as  the  iron  beams  come  directly  over  these  arches 
we  think  this  a  very  serious  matter,  especially  as  the  wall  has 
been  considerably  shaken  by  the  cutting  before  mentioned. 

Second — Wooden  lintels  are  placed  over  all  these  side  window 
openings.  This  we  consider  very  defective,  and  unusual  to  place 
a  wooden  lintel  over  an  opening  above  which  are  placed  iron 
beams. 

Third — There  are  two  w'ide  windows  on  eacli  story  in  the  front 
wall,  over  each  of  which  is  a  wooden  lintel  and  arch  of  3  rolocks ; 
above  this  is  a  single  12-inch  rolled-iron  beam  resting  at  each 
end  on  a  small  stone  block  about  4x6  inches,  placed  one  on 
either  side  of  the  window  o])enings,  and  near  the  edge  of  same. 
These  rolled  beams  receive  the  large  iron  girders  supporting  the 
iron  floor  beams.  We  consider  this  very  defective  work,  and  not 
a  good  or  safe  mode  of  construction.  These  windows  should  be 
spanned  by  cast-iron  lintels  and  good  brick  arches  turned  in 
same,  and  granite  blocks  should  be  placed  under  the  ends  of  the 
main  girders.  We  find,  furthei",  that  a  considerable  number  of 
up-river  bricks  are  used,  while  the  specilications  call  foi'  the  best 
Haverstraw  bricks. 


62 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


We  would  recommend,  in  order  to  obtain  a  good  and  safe  job, 
that  the  pipes  be  taken  ont  of  tlie  slots  or  recesses  in  the  side 
Avails,  and  filling  up  solid  with  brickwork  tlie  said  recesses,  or 
slots.  Further,  that  all  the  wooden  lintels  over  the  w  indow  open- 
ings in  walls  bearing  iron  beams  be  taken  out,  and  cast-iron  lin- 
tels resting  at  each  end  on  a  bluestone  template,  with  a  brick  arcli 
turned  over  the  same,  be  substituted.  Furtlier,  that  the  front 
window  openings,  which  are  spanned  in  the  same  manner,  be  sim- 
ilarlj  treated,  tliese  lintels  being  very  heavy  ;  also  that  granite 
blocks  be  placed  under  the  ends  of  main  girders  which  come  over 
tliese  window^s,  as  before  referred  to. 

Respectfully  submitted  by 

D.  C.  WEEKS, 
JOHN.  A.  HORGAN. 

October  22,  1877. 

Mr.  Van  Zandt,  selected  by  the  Investigating  Committee  to 
report  upon  the  fireproof  material,  made  no  report,  though  he 
gave  the  work  an  examination.    Mr.  Stent  reported  as  follows: 

The  Ilonoralih  the  Sjyccial  Comm  ittee  of  Investigation  of  New 
Municipal  BniMirKj,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  : 

Gentlkmen : 

In  compliance  witli  your  request  conveyed  by  letter  of  the  6th 
inst.,  that  I  would,  in  conjunction  with  Mr.  J.  W.  Van  Zandt,  ex- 
amine into  and  report  u])on  the  manner  of  executing  the  contract 
on  the  new  Municipal  Building  at  lirooklyn,  as  relates  to  Wan- 
ner's  fireproof  building  material,  I  have  the  honor  to  submit, 
that  I  have  examined  carefully  the  wliole  of  said  material  erected 
throughout  the  aforesaid  building,  and  that  I  find  it  to  be  done  in 
accordan(;e  with  the  specifications,  and  in  a  manner  which  I  have 
no  hesitation  in  saying  will  result  satisfactorily. 

With  regard  to  the  )naterial  itself,  it  belongs  to  a  class  of  fire- 
proof construction,  the  use  of  which  is  becoming  general  in  all 
the  principal  buildings  and  by  the  most  prominent  architects  of 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAETMENT  BUILDING. 


63 


this  and  other  cities  I'or  its  known  quality  of  resisting  the  action 
of  fire,  for  its  liglitness  as  compared  witli  briclv  when  used  as 
liollow  blocks,  and  for  the  readiness  with  which  it  can  be  altered 
or  replaced. 

Nearly  three  years  since  Mr.  Wanner  personally  put  up  for  me, 
in  the  form  of  tloor  arches  and  partitions,  iipwanl  of  tifty  thou- 
sand feet  of  the  same  material.  The  evaporation  of  moisture 
from  it  (it  having  been  manufactured  and  built  in  the  winter) 
caused  a  slight  shrinkage  and  necessitated  pointing  along  the  top 
of  the  partitions  next  the  ceiling,  since  which  it  has  not  caused 
the  slightest  trouble,  and  is  to-day  in  the  highest  degree  satisfac- 
tory both  to  the  owner  of  the  building  and  to  myself. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  gentlemen, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

THOMAS  STENT, 

-  Architect. 

74  Astor  House  Otii(^es,  } 
Nkw  Yokk,  Oct.  24,  1877.  S" 

These  examinatit^ns  and  reports  were  all  made  without  expense 
to  the  city. 

A  letter  to  the  Chairman,  Alderman  Duane,  from  Leonard  F. 
Beckwith,  an  officer  of  a  fireproof  building  material  company,  was 
read  to  the  committee,  in  which  the  "Wanner"  material  was 
severely  criticised.  Mr.  Beckwith  was  recpiested  to  appear  as  a 
witness,  bnt  failed  to  do  so. 

All  the  subsequent  witnesses,  fourteen  in  number,  were  called 
on  behalf  of  the  Building  Committee,  and  their  testimony  was 
almost  \miformly  in  opposition  to  the  theories  of  Messrs.  Weeks 
and  HoRGAN. 

The  following  report  of  the  Investigating  Committee,  submitted 
to  the  Common  Council  on  the  24th  of  Deceml)er,  1877.  which 
was  unanimoiidy  adopted,  is  an  ample  reward  to  the  Building 
Committee  for  all  the  labor  and  annoyance  incident  to  the  inves- 
tigation : 


64  MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 

To  the  Coiiimon  Council : 

The  Speciiil  Committee  appointed  "  to  investigate  as  to  tlie 
manner  ot  the  execntion  of  tlie  contracts  for  the  erection  of  the 
new  Municipal  Building,"  September  6,  1877,  Mhmtes  of  the 
Common  Council,  page  273,  vol.  2, 

EEPORT: 

I'liat  the}'  have  procured  the  opinions  of  experts  as  to  the  man- 
ner of  carrying  out  said  contracts,  which  are  hereto  annexed,  and 
have  examined  a  lai'ge  number  of  practical  builders,  masons,  and 
others  well  known  in  the  community  in  reference  to  the  same, 
whose  testimony  is  also  hereto  annexed. 

The  conclusion  to  which  yoar  committee  has  arrived,  after 
hearing  and  carefully  considering  the  opinions  and  testimony,  is 
that  the  specifications  have  been  substantially  complied  with,  and 
the  contracts  well  performed. 

The  evidence  shows  that  the  materials  were  of  good  quality, 
and  that  the  work  has  l)een  done  in  a  good,  workmanlike  manner; 
and  considering  the  magnitude  of  the  work,  and  the  limit  of  ex- 
penditure ($200,000),  we  believe  that  it  will  compare  favorably 
with  any  other  building  of  a  like  character  in  this  country,  both 
in  the  manner  of  the  construction,  and  in  the  economy  with 
whicli  it  was  erected. 

There  was  some  question  raised  as  to  the  quality  of  the  fire- 
proof material  used  in  the  building,  but  the  weight  of  evidence  is 
that  the  kind  used  (Wanner' s)  is  equally  as  good  as  any  other; 
and  considering  the  difference  in  the  price,  we  conclude  that  the 
architects  acted  widely  in  selecting  it. 

Certain  defects  are  pointed  out  by  some  of  the  experts,  and 
remedies  are  suggested  for  them. 

But  your  committee  conclude,  after  hearing  the  testimony  of 
some  of  our  best  builders  and  masons,  that  the  defects  suggested 
are  questions  of  opinions  upon  which  the  best  of  builders  difi*er, 
and  that  the  remedies  proposed  are  themselves  questionable. 

We  believe  that  the  city's  interests  have  been  well  considered 
by  the  committee  of  this  Common  Council  in  charge  of  the  con- 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAETMENT  BUILDmG. 


65 


struction,  and  that  they  have  performed  their  part  of  tlie  work 
honestly,  faithfully,  and  intelligently,  and  are  entitled  to  the 
thanks  of  this  Common  Council  and  of  the  city  for  their  services. 
And  your  committee  offer  the  following  for  adoption  : 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  be  discharged  from  the  further 
consideration  of  the  subject. 

C.  L.  BURNE'J\  -] 
JAMES  T.  EASTON,  [  Sjyecial 
DAVID  ACKER,        f  Committee. 
F.  W.  PHILLIPS,  J 

Dated  December  2i,  1S77. 

Alderman  Duane,  Chairman  of  the  Special  Committee,  who 
was  al)sent  on  account  of  illness,  subsequently  attached  his  name 
to  the  Report. 

On  the  10th  of  December,  1S77,  on  motion  of  Alderman 
EiSHEU,  the  Board  of  City  Works  was  directed  to  take  charge  of 
the  heating  apparatus  of  the  new  building,  wlieu  notified  ])y  the 
Aldermen  in  cliarge  that  said  apparatus  was  ready  for  use,  and 
to  heat  the  building  during  the  winter.  One  thousand  dollars 
was  appropriated  for  coal  and  attendance.  This  direction  was 
complied  with  at  once,  tlie  ap]iaratns  being  already  in  order. 

The  foregoing  includes  the  statement  of  otKcial  action  for  the 
year  1877. 

MAYOR'S  MESSAGE— 

The  following  is  extracted  from  tlie  annual  Message  of  His 
Honor  Mayor  James  Howell  : 

"the  new  municipal  building, 

it  is  expected,  will  be  ready  for  occupation  by  the  various  depart- 
ments of  the  city  government,  for  whose  use  it  has  been  erected, 
in  the  course  of  the  ensuing  spring,  and  you  will  be  called  upon 
to  provide  for  it  the  necessary  furniture.    In  so  doing,  I  hope 

9 


66 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAETMENT  BUILDING. 


that  no  regard  will  be  had  to  any  desire  foi'  mere  ornament  or 
show,  but  that  jilainness  and  dnrahility  alone  will  be  the  control- 
ing  consideration.  Tiie  l)uilding  was  very  much  needed  for  the 
uses  of  the  city,  and  although  there  has  been  much  adverse  criti- 
cism of  its  plans  and  construction,  if  it  shall  properly  serve  those 
uses  its  erection  cannot  fail  to  prove  a  measure  of  economy  in  the 
saving  of  rent  now  paid.'' 

No  change  having  been  made  in  1877  in  the  resohition  relative 
to  the  Aldermen  in  charge  of  construction,  the  Aldei-men  from 
the  same  wards  continued  to  ofhciate — to  wit,  the  Twentieth, 
Twenty-third,  Eighteenth,  Twelftli  and  Twenty -fourth  wards. 
The  changes  in  the  election  of  meml)ers  for  L878,  however, 
caused  the  Twelfth  ward  to  be  represented  by  Aid.  Daniel 
O'Reilly,  and  the  Twenty-fourth  ward  by  Aid.  John  Dreyer. 
These  two  Aldermen,  upon  assuming  their  duties  in  this  behalf, 
found  the  building  a|)proaching  completion.  They,  therefore, 
did  not  assmne  to  interfere  in  its  management,  though  they 
attended  the  meetings  of  the  committee  and  manifested  an  in- 
terest in  the  success  of  its  labors. 

On  the  14th  of  January,  1878,  by  a  vote  of  the  Common  Coun- 
cil, all  alterations  from  tlie  plans  and  specifications,  and  all  orders 
for  extra  work  and  services  in  connection  with  the  construction  of 
the  new  building  were  ratified  and  confirmed,  and  the  Auditor  di- 
rected to  audit  and  the  Comptroller  to  pay  all  l)ills  therefor  when 
properly  certified  by  the  Chairman  of  the  Aldermen  in  charge. 

On  the  4th  of  February,  1878,  the  Comptroller  was  directed  by 
the  Common  Council  to  notify  the  landlords  or  the  agents  of 
buildings  occupied  l)y  the  departments  of  Police  and  Excise, 
Health,  Arrears,  Parks,  Elections,  and  the  City  Auditor  and  City 
Treasurer,  that  said  buildings  would  not  be  required  by  the  city 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


67 


after  A})ril  30,  1878,  provisiou  having  been  made  for  such  public 
offices  in  tlie  new  Municipal  Department  Building  and  the  City 
Hall. 

On  the  8th  day  of  April,  1878,  the  Aldermen  in  charge  were 
authorized  to  turn  over  for  occupancy  to  the  Board  of  City  Works 
from  time  to  time  such  rooms  as  might  be  ready  to  fit  up  for  such 
0(!cupancy.  By  an  arrangement  with  the  contractors  whereby 
the  Board  of  City  Works  were  to  make  good  any  damage  done 
the  building  previous  to  its  formal  acceptance  by  the  Common 
Council,  Said  Board  at  once  entered  upon  the  work  of  preparation. 

COST  OF  CONSTRUCTION. 

The  entire  cost  of  construction  of  the  new  Municipal  Building, 
including  the  plans,  arcliitects  fees,  superintendence,  and  all  extra 
work  done  by  order  of  the  Aldermen  in  charge,  amounts  to 

$199,979  48. 

A  few  hundred  dollars  additional  was  expended  by  the  depart- 
ments in  alterations  which  involved  increased  expense,  most  of 
them  being  made  after  the  work  had  been  finished  accoi'ding  to 
the  plans,  whicli  extra  work  was  paid  for  out  of  their  own  de- 
partment funds.  The  details  of  this  expenditure  as  well  as  of  the 
entire  amount  expended  in  construction  appear  in  another  part  of 
tliis  rejiort.  Taking  into  consideration  the  magnitude  of  the  build- 
ing, one  hundred  feet  front  by  one  hundred  and  fifty-five  feet  nine 
inches  average  depth,  four  stories  and  basement,  marble  front, 
and  all  the  work  in  first-class  style,  with  upwards  of  one  hundred 
rooms  therein,  the  Aldermen  in  charge  deem  themselves  fortunate 
in  being  able  to  make  this  satisfactory  report.  The  result  is  due 
largely  to  the  low  price  of  materials  and  labor,  enabling  the  city 
to  make  very  favorable  contracts.    At  the  time  of  the  proposals 


68 


MDNICIPAL  DEPAETMENT  BUILDING. 


common  labor  was  readily  to  be  had  at  from  $1  to  $1.50  per  day, 
and  skilled  labor  ranged  from  $1.75  to  $2.75  ])er  day;  ordinary 
brick  were  to  be  liad  at  about  $6  per  thousand,  while  marble, 
lumber,  iron  and  all  other  material  recpiired  were  proportionately 
cheap. 

The  writer  of  this  report  takes  the  liberty  with  the  names  of  his 
associates  to  add  that  much  of  this  result,  as  well  as  the  approach 
to  perfection  to  be  found  in  all  the  details  of  the  work,  is  due  the 
Chairman  of  the  Committee,  Alderman  John  French.  Himself 
a  builder  of  large  experience,  identiiied  with  the  construction  of 
some  of  the  most  important  structures  in  Brooklyn,  animated 
by  a  high  purpose  that  this  work  should  reflect  ci'edit  upon  him- 
self and  his  associates,  and  be  a  valiiable  acquisition  to  the  city, 
he  has  fully  justified  the  confidence  reposed  in  his  integrity,  skill 
and  judgment.  Fortunately  for  the  interest  committed  to  his 
trust,  retired  from  active  business  pursuits,  he  has  l)een  enal)led 
to  give  almost  his  entire  time  to  the  preparation  and  completion 
of  the  work — watching  its  progress  with  a  zeal  and  care  in  excess 
of  that  usually  given  to  private  affairs,  and  with  a  fidelity  to  the 
piiblic  interest  which  it  is  a  pleasure  to  recognize.  To  Alderman 
George  W.  Williams  also  much  ci'edit  is  due — particularly  for 
his  thoroughly  pi-actical  services  in  connection  with  the  carpenter 
work,  in  which  he  is  an  expert.  These  two  combined  have  pro- 
duced a  work  of  which  they  may  be  justly  proud,  while  their 
associates  may  esteem  it  a  source  of  self-congratulation  to  have 
their  names  connected  with  the  enterprise. 

It  is  eminently  appropriate  in  this  connection  to  furtlier  add 
that  much  valuable  aid  has  been  rendered  in  procuring  such  a  satis- 
factory result,  hy  the  architects,  Messrs.  Mumfoko  A:  Ditmaes, 
and  the  Inspector,  M.  J.  Dady,  of  all  <>f  whom  other  mention  is 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


69 


made.  The  city  was  also  fortunate  in  securing  for  contractors 
men  of  high  reputation  in  the  community  for  ability  and  integrity. 
Tlie  hibors  of  tlie  Aldermen  in  charge  of  construction  have  been 
materially  lightened  by  the  disposition  of  the  contractors  to  deal 
Jionestly  and  fairly  by  the  city.  They  have  invariably  evinced  a 
readiness  to  correct  errors  and  to  remedy  defects ;  they  have  em- 
ployed the  most  skilled  artisans  procurable,  and  purchased  the 
best  of  material,  evidently  striving  to  leave  behind  them  a  struc- 
ture that  should  prove  creditable  to  themselves  and  be  a  source  of 
[)ri(le  to  tlie  city.  In  this  they  have  been  remarkably  successful. 
Where  all  have  striven  to  do  so  well  there  is  no  occasion  to  par- 
ticularize. When  it  is  considered  that  the  prices  which  they 
were  receiving  were  extremely  low,  their  accommodating  manner 
and  adherence  to  their  every  obligation  are  worthy  of  commenda- 
tion. If  there  could  have  been  about  $50,000  more  ex[)ended, 
there  are  many  points  which  might  have  been  improved  upon,  so 
far  as  appearances  are  concerned. 

THE  LIMIT  OF  $200,000, 

however,  bound  the  projectors  to  seek  utility  at  the  expense  of 
ornamentation.  The  substantial  character  of  the  work,  and  its 
adaptation  to  the  requirements  of  the  Departments,  give  ample 
return  for  the  money  expende<i.  The  universal  expression  of 
experts  and  others  who  have  examined  the  building  is  that, 
considering  the  amount  of  money  expended,  it  is  the  best  con- 
structed, as  well  as  the  most  commodious  and  beautifid,  of  which 
they  have  any  knowledge.  This  record  is  esteemed  an  ample 
reward  by  those  who  have  had  charge  of  its  construction  from 
its  inception  until  its  completion.  To  claim  ability  to  erect  so 
handsome  and  commodious  a  structure  in  the  substantial  man- 
ner which  characterizes  this  building  for  less  than  $200,000  is  a 


70 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


proposition  which  would  al'iiost  surpass  beli'f'f  were  it  not  for  the 
facts  and  figures  whictli  are  herewith  presented.  It  was  })rophe- 
sied  by  some  prominent  citizens  and  well-informed  officials  at  the 
outset  of  the  work  that  the  building  contemplated  would  before 
its  completion  cost  twice  that  sum.  '^J'he  satisfaction  they,  as  tax- 
payers, doubtless  feel  at  being  proven  incorrect  prophets  is  such 
as  it  is  believed  the  general  })ublic  also  enjoy. 

^0^V  PAID  FOR. 

It  will  be  observed  by  a  perusal  of  tlie  special  act  of  the  Legis- 
lature that  the  expenditure  for  the  new  building  is  limited  to 
$200,000,  and  that  it  is  provided  for  liquidating  that  amount  in 
three  years.  The  source  from  which  the  moneys  are  drawn  is  the 
surplus  in  the  hands  of  the  City  Treasurer  for  the  current  yearly 
expenses,  there  generally  being  from  $200,000  to  $300,000  on 
hand  ahead  of  the  demands  for  payment.  This  money  cannot  be 
diverted  except  by  special  act  of  the  Legislature,  and  it  would  not 
be  safe  to  so  divert  unless  the  plan  for  reimbui"sement,  such  as  is 
provided  in  the  foregoing  law,  was  quite  sure  to  meet  the  deficit 
it  would  otherwise  create.  This  plan  was  without  precedent  in 
our  city,  and  was  only  adopted  in  this  instance  upon  the  represen- 
tations of  the  financial  ofiicers,  that  in  the  present  state  of  the 
Treasury  it  was  safe.  The  two  first  instalments  have  been  raised 
and  paid  into  the  Treasury,  and  the  third  and  last  is  placed  in  the 
budget  for  1879. 

The  whole  amount  drawn  from  the  Treasury  on  this  account, 
in  1876,  was  $4:,372.45.  In  December,  1876,  a  one-third  instal- 
ment, $66,666.66,  was  paid  into  the  Treasury,  leaving  a  balance 
to  the  credit  of  the  Buildhig  Account  of  $62,294.21.  In  the  first 
six  months  of  1877  there  was  paid  out  of  this  fund  $56,281.25, 
leaving  on  the  first  of  July,  1877  (one-half  of  the  entire  time  in 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


71 


wliicli  tlie  Building  Fund  was  to  he  a  borrower  fi-oni  the  Treas- 
ury), a  l)alance  to  the  credit  of  the  Building  Fund,  of  $6,012.96. 

In  Deceniljer,  1877,  there  was  ]jaid  into  the  Ti'oasury  the  sum 
of  $6G,6GG.G7  collected  by  tax.  The  amount  paid  out  in  tlie  last 
six  months  of  1877  was  $8-l,145.52,  leaving  a  balance  due  the 
Treasury  of  $11,465.89,  on  the  1st  of  January,  1878.  Upon 
making  the  last  payment  upon  the  entire  cost  of  the  building  in 
June,  1878,  there  had  been  paid  out  tVom  the  Treasury  the  sum  of 
$199,979.48,  and  there  had  been  paid  into  the  Treasury  on  that 
account  the  sum  of  $133,333,33. 

The  foregoing  tigures  are  given  to  demonstrate  that  the  money 
for  tlie  l)uilding  has  been  practically  raised  Ijy  tax  during  the 
progress  of  the  work,  and  while  the  fimd  for  that  purpose  was 
theoretically  borrowed  from  tlie  Treasury,  it  has  been  a  real  bor- 
rower to  only  a  small  extent.  In  December,  1878,  the  whole 
amount,  without  interest,  except  a  small  amount  lost  to  the  city 
during  its  use,  will  have  been  raised  and  the  structure  ]iaid  for 
without  the  issue  of  an}'  certificates  of  indebtedness  or  of  bonds. 
This  may  be  appreciated  in  view  of  the  fact  that  the  last  of  the 
bonds  for  the  City  Hall,  built  many  years  since,  was  only  paid  off 
within  two  years  last  past. 

nUlENSIOIiS. 
The  building  is  situate  on  Joralemon  street,  adjoining  the  Kings 
County  Court  House. 

The  dimensions  of  the  plot  upon  which  the  Iniilding  stands  is 
one  hundred  and  thirty-four  feet  on  Joralemon  street,  running 
back  two  hundred  feet  to'  the  land  of  the  Brooklyn  Polytechnic 
Institute,  thence  to  Livingston  street,  thirty-one  feet  wide,  one 
hundred  feet  deep. 


72 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAETMENT  BUILDING. 


The  dimensions  of  the  building  are  as  follows:  one  hundred 
and  one  feet,  one  and  one-half  inches  on  Joralenion  street ;  one 
hundred  and  forty-eight  feet  on  westerly  line ;  one  luindred  and 
sixty-three  feet,  six  inches  on  easterly  line;  and  one  liundred  feet 
across  the  rear,  with  four  stories  and  cellar,  the  fourth  story 
Mansard  roof. 

Heights  of  stories  are  as  follows : 

First  story,  eighteen  feet  in  the  clear  ;  second  story,  sixteen  feet, 
six  inches ;  third  story,  fifteen  feet,  six  inches ;  fourth  story, 
eigliteen  feet  to  deck  of  roof. 

JIOW  OCCUPIED. 

Cellar — Twelve  feet  in  clear ;  east  side  occupied  by  the  boilers 
and  engine  room,  40x04  ;  store  room  for  Board  of  Health,  27x38  ; 
publics  water-closets,  and  store  room  for  Bureau  of  Streets  of  the 
Board  of  City  Works,  40x64. 

The  west  side  is  occupied  by  police  drill  room,  40x64 ;  Search- 
ers' room,  Tax  department,  27x38,  with  water-closets;  and 
unoccupied  space,  40x64. 

Hist  Stoi'y — The  west  side  of  corridor  is  occupied  by  the  Tax 
Collector,  which  includes  tlie  Assessment  room.  Bill  room,  Cash- 
ier's department,  and  the  Collector's  and  Deputy's  private  offices. 

On  the  east  side,  front,  is  situated  the  Registrar  of  Arrears, 
with  general  office  and  private  offices  for  Registrar  and  Deputy, 
occupying  in  the  whole  34x64  feet. 

On  same  side,  adjoining  the  above,  is  situated  the  Map 
room,  which  is  fire-proof,  24x32  feet. 

Adjoining  same,  to  the  rear,  is  situated  the  Registrar  of  Water 
Rates,  occupying  space  40x64,  with  pi-ivate  office.  Cashier's  de- 
]>artnient,  fire  and  Ijm-glar-proof  vault,  and  water-closets. 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


73 


Second  Story — Front,  east  side,  is  occupied  by  the  Board  of 
City  Works,  occupying  66x34  feet,  as  follows  :  Secretary's  room, 
two  Commissiouers'  rooms.  Chief  Clerk's  room,  waiting  room, 
Board  room,  President's  room.  Store  room,  and  Accountant's 
room. 

The  remainder  of  east  side  of  said  floor,  to  rear,  40x90  feet, 
is  occupied  by  the  Board  of  Health,  as  follows :  Registrar's 
private  office  ;  Registrar's  office  ;  Secretary's  room  ;  fire  and  bui'g- 
lar~proof  vault ;  vaccinating  room  {entered  from  the  main  cor- 
ridor only) ;  store  rooms  ;  Board  room  ;  waiting  room ;  Presi- 
dent's room;  office  of  Permits  and  Complaints;  Inspector's  room  ; 
Sanitary  Superintendent's  room,  and  Counsel  to  the  Board. 

West  side,  front,  40x80  feet,  and  24x20  feet  off  corridor  in 
front,  occupied  as  follows:  the  Superintendent  of  Police,  three 
rooms ;  Detectives'  private  room  and  public  room ;  Inspector's 
room;  waiting  room  ;  Superintendent's  Clerk  ;  telegraph  room; 
battery  room  and  work  room,  and  Sergeant's  and  muster  rooms, 
the  latter  having  a  private  corridor  and  stairway  through  side 
entrance  on  west  side  of  building. 

The  rear  portion,  west  side  of  this  story,  is  occupied  by  the 
Board  of  Assessors,  40x65,  with  general  office,  water-closet  ac- 
commodations. President's  room,  and  Board  room. 

Third  Floor — East  side  is  wholly  occupied  by  the  Board  of 
City  Works,  as  follows :  Chief  Enguieei's  Departnient- — Chief 
Engineer's  Clerk  ;  three  Assistant  Engineers  (a  room  each) ;  gen- 
eral office,  or  drawing  room;  private  office.  Bureau  of  Repairs 
and  Construction — Drawing  room  ;  General  office;  Private  offi.ce; 
and  Store  room.    £'aroeyor''s  Departvient — Permit  office  ;  Gen- 

10 


74 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


eral  office  ;  Purveyor's  Private  office  ;  Deputy  Purveyor's  office  ; 
Store  room  ;  Stamping  room  ;  Drawing  room  ;  and  Inspector's 
office. 

On  west  side  rear,  Bureau  of  Streets  and  Supplies,  occupy- 
ing 38x40 — Permit  office  ;  Inspector's  office  ;  Superintendent's 
Private  office ;  General  office ;  and  Assessment  room  of  tlie  Sew- 
erage Department. 

Tlie  balance  of  the  third  floor,  40x108  feet,  is  occupied  liy  the 
Department  of  Police  and  Excise,  as  follows  :  Four  rooms,  front, 
for  the  Commissioners  ;  one  Waiting  room  ;  Board  room  ;  Chief 
Clerk's  room ;  General  and  Deputy  Clerk's  room ;  Property  Clerk ; 
Excise  Bureau ;  large  store  room  for  Property  Clerk,  and  two 
small  store  rooms  for  same  purpose  ;  Trial  room  ;  and  water- 
closet  accommodation. 

Fourth  Floor — West  side  wlioUy  occupied  by  the  Police  De- 
partment, as  follows  ;  Drill  Captain's  rooms ;  Detectives'  Sleep- 
ing rooms  (2) ;  Fire  Marshal  and  Boiler  Inspector  ;  store  room 
for  ballot-boxes ;  two  living  rooms  for  the  female  searchers  for 
the  Department ;  Surgeon's  room,  off  corridor  in  front,  32x38  ; 
Reporters'  room,  on  east  side,  16x40. 

MISCELLANEOUS  ITEMS. 

During  the  progress  of  the  work  there  were  several  motions 
made  in  the  Board  of  Aldermen,  upon  which  no  affirmative  action 
was  had,  though  all  the  requests  emanating  from  the  Building 
Committee  were  adopted. 

Tlie  old  curb  in  front  of  the  new  building  was,  on  motion  of 
Aid.  Burnet,  of  the  First  ward,  replaced  by  new  curb  out  of 
the  First  ward  fund. 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAETIIENT  BUILDING. 


75 


The  Trustees  of  the  Collegiate  and  Polytechnic  Institute,  occupy- 
ing a  building  in  the  rear  of  the  Municipal  Building,  were,  by  au- 
thority of  the  Common  Council,  permitted  to  paint  the  rear  of  the 
building,  the  purpose  being  to  reflect  light  for  their  school  rooms. 

In  November,  1877,  the  Board  of  City  Works  began  making 
preparations  for  fiirnishiiig  and  fitting  uj)  the  offices  for  occupancy. 
With  this  branch  of  the  work  the  Aldermen  in  charge  of  con- 
struction had  no  official  connection,  except  as  menil)ers  of  the 
Board  of  Aldermen.    They  were,  however,  advised  with  from  time 
to  time  by  the  Board  of  City  Works.    The  reasonable  certainty 
that  the  new  Ijuilding  would  be  ready  for  occupancy  by  May  1, 
1878,  prompted  the  Board  of  City  Works,  in  November,  to  re- 
(piest  authority  to  advertise  for  proposals  for  furniture,  gas-fitting, 
etc. ,  which  was  granted.    The  Board  of  City  Works  employed 
the  architects  of  the  building,  Messrs.  Mumford  &  Ditmaks,  to 
prepare  the  plaTis  and  specifications  for  such  fixtures,  furniture, 
etc.    Twenty  thousand  dollars  had  been  set  apart  in  the  budget 
of  1877  to  1)6  used  in  1878  for  this  purpose,  and  it  was  deemed 
advisable  to  be  ready  at  the  opening  of  the  year  1878  with  plans 
and  specifications.    This  was  accomplished.    It  l)eing  foreign  to 
the  duties  of  those  responsible  for  this  report,  the  details  of  the 
steps  taken  to  fit  \\\)  the  building  are  omitted,  remarking  that  the 
$20,000  was  found  to  be  insufficient  for  the  purpose,  and  the 
Board  of  City  Works  were  obliged  to  avail  themselves  of  the 
power  given  the  Mayor  and  Comptroller,  in  conjunction  with  two- 
thirds  of  the  Board  of  Aldermen,  to  raise  l)etween  $3,000  and 
$4,000  in  excess  of  that  sura.    The  building  is  fitted  up  in  a  re- 
spectable and  substantial  manner. 

The  new  and  elegant  lamp  posts  in  front  of  the  building  were 
placed  there  by  the  Board  of  City  Works  under  direction  of  the 


76 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAETMENT  BUILDING. 


Common  Comicil,  and  tliecost  charged  to  the  account  for  hghtiiig 
streets. 

The  amount  appropriated  for  the  expense  of  the  investigation 
was  $165 — for  stenograplier's  fees,  suunnoning  witnesses,  and 
procuring  bhxnks. 

The  first  telephone  used  for  journahstic  i)urposes  was  ])hieed 
in  the  telegraph  room  of  the  Board  of  Police  in  the  new  buikling, 
by  the  private  enterprise  of  the  Brooklyn  Daily  Unlon-Aigus,  on 
the  20th  of  April,  1878.  The  Aldermen  in  charge,  with  the 
architects  and  contractors,  made  a  tour  of  inspection  of  the  build- 
ing previous  to  acceptance  tliereof  from  the  contractors.  Tliey 
reported  the  I'act,  througli  the  aid  of  tlie  telephone,  to  the  LTn'ton- 
Argus  office,  and  it  appeared  in  the  afternoon  edition  of  that 
paper  a  few  minutes  later. 

An  occurence  happened  in  the  summer  of  1877  which  gave  the 
committee  some  imeasiness.  The  iron  beams  for  a  portion  of  the 
floors  were  about  being  shipped  from  the  works  at  Buffalo,  wlien 
a  mob  seized  upon  the  cars  at  that  jioint  and  prevented  their 
moving.  A  general  strike  prevailed  along  the  i-ailroad  route  by 
which  the  beams  were  to  be  shipped,  and  for  upwards  of  three 
weeks  the  beams  remained  at  Buffalo.  Had  the  strike  continued 
much  longer,  labor  upon  the  building  would  have  been  neces- 
sarily suspended.  As  it  was,  only  a  few  days  were  lost,  which 
were  quickly  made  up  by  increased  activity  on  the  part  of  the 
contractor,  Mr.  Saxtan. 

The  mason  contractor  was  also  given  some  annoyance,  and 
some  delay  occurred  in  consequence  of  a  strike  by  the  mason  la- 
borers. They  were  getting  $1.75  per  day,  and  struck  for  $2  per 
day.  After  considering  the  matter  two  or  three  days,  the  con- 
tractor concluded  to  pay  the  price  demanded.    The  laborers  then 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAETMENT  BTTILDING. 


77 


refused  to  resume  work  unless  Mr.  Lamb  di.<fliargecl  the  uon-soci- 
etj  bricklayers  in  his  employ.  This  demand  he  refused  to  accede 
to,  and  succeeded  in  procuriiiiz;  otlier  laborers  at  the  increased 
price.  The  work  was  suspended  about  three  weeks  in  conse- 
quence of  this  difficulty. 

After  the  plans  had  been  adopted  by  the  committee,  and  the 
l)uildiiig  nearly  completed,  some  of  the  departments  desired 
changes  to  be  made,  mainly  in  partitions  and  location  of  doors. 
By  resolutions  of  the  Connnon  Council  from  time  to  time  these 
changes  were  ordered,  the  cost  thereof  to  be  defrayed  by  the  de- 
partments requiring  the  same.  Some  of  these  changes  have 
proved  to  have  been  unwise,  and  are  al)out  to  be  remedied  ;  oth- 
ers are  very  satisfactory.  There  are  a  few,  and  bnt  a  very  few, 
rooms  not  well  adapted  to  the  wants  of  their  occupants ;  but  as 
the  force  gets  settled,  these  inequalities  can  be  readily  adjusted. 

Among  the  changes  made  from  the  original  plans  was  the  sxib- 
stitution  of  brick  arches  in  the  floors  for  "  Wanner's  Fireproof 
Material."  The  occasion  of  this  change  was  the  neglect  of  Mr. 
Wanner  (a  sub-contractor  of  Messrs.  Lamb,  the  mason  contract- 
ors) to  provide  the  material  when  required.  The  delay  necessary 
to  enforce  the  terms  of  the  conti'act  wonld  have  endangered  the 
completion  of  tlie  building  in  time  for  the  intended  occupancy. 
The  committee,  under  advice  of  the  architects,  ordered  the  change. 
The  brick  arches  proved  a  saving  in  price,  and  are  equally,  if  not 
more,  satisfactory.  The  fireproof  material  is,  however,  used  in 
the  partitions  and  Mansard  roof. 


TABLET  IN  IIAIN  CORRIDOR. 


FREDERICK  A.  SCHROEDER. 


Erected  by  tlie  Common  Council  under 

 the  direction  of  

Aldermen 
JOHN  FRENCH, 
FRANCIS  B.  FISHER, 
GEORGE  W.  WILLIAMS, 
GEORGE  JENNISON, 
JAMES  DONOVAN. 


Architects, 
JOHN  MUMFORD, 
WILLIAM  B.  DITMARS. 

Inspector, 
MICHAEL  J.  DADY. 


Completed — 1878. 


TABLET  IN  MAIN  COKRIDOR 


o 


CONS 


c 


May  1,  1878. 


o 


SI  9  9, 979. 48 


-Appropriation,  $200,000.- 


Mason, 
WM.  &  T.  LAMB,  Jr. 


Marble, 
JOHN  M.  MASTERTON. 


Iron, 
D.  Y.  SAXTAN. 


Carpenter, 
JOHN  FALLON. 


Heating  and  Ventilation, 
JAMER,  JACOBS  &  CO. 


Plunil)ing  and  Gas  Fitting, 
JxiMES  HARLEY. 

1876.    1878. 


80 


MUNICirAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


CHANGES  FROM  SrECIFICATlONti. 

ADDITIONS. 

Cliange  fuce  brick,  from  basement  sills,  to  underside  of 

water  table,  from  rough  brick  to  Colaburg  brick  $37  00 

Doorway  in  brick  wall  in  Tax  office  increased  in  width  one 

foot,  eight  inches,  and  one  new  door   45  00 

Rear  wall  of  fourth  story  increased  in  thickness   GO  90 

Letters  "A.  D."  substituted  for  figures  1876  on  marble 

panel  in  front   75  00 

Resetting  panel   10  00 

Gutting  two  marble  sills   10  00 

Paint  galvanized  iron  cornices  over  marble  front  on  inside  15  ()0 
Change  leaders  in  size  from  four  inches  to  five  inches.  ...  40  00 
Change  flooring  from  four  and  one-half  inches  to  three 

inches  on  first  three  floors   594  00 

Change  location  of  gas  droi)ii  in  ceiling   45  60 

Sewer  connections  extended  one  on  each  side  of  building  34  20 

Alteration  of  four  pediments  on  main  tower   40  00 

Iron  tank  in  place  of  brick  return  steam  chest  in  boiler 

room   80  00 

Alterations  in  granite  steps  ii\  front  to  conform  to  grade.  208  00 
Alterations  in  bluestone  co[>ing,  blocks  and  steps  in  front 
to  conform  to  change  from  straight  lines  to  curved 

lines   198  00 

An  extra  coat  of  plaster  on  stud  partitions  and  lath  work  250  00 
Paving  boiler  room  with  brick  on  edge  instead  of  con- 
crete  50  00 

Putting  gas  pipe  and  gas  drop  in  tower   14  60 

Adding  base  on  stairs   100  00 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAETMENT  BUILDING.  81 

Extra  moulding  ou  window  sills  made  necessary  by  venti- 
lating plans   $40  00 

Two  white  marble  tablets  in  corridor   50  00 

Iron  for  same   10  00 

Two  dome  sash  and  coloi'ed  o-lass  in  centre  of  buildino;.  .  56  00 

Seven  hundred  feet  spruce  4x4  strips  for  roof   14  00 

Repairing  damage  to  flooring   5  00 

Black  walnut  box  for  reporters   10  00 

Sheet  iron  cover  for  steam  pipes  on  first  corridor  floor.  .  40  00 

Alteration  of  door  and  partition  on  second  story   13  75 

Alteration  of  door,  third  story   7  25 

Three  cesspools  on  south  side,  connecting  with  sewer...  .  24  20 

Building  steam  slots  on  second  story   75  00 

Furring  hall,  second  story   12  00 

Gas  fitting  and  sewer  connections   76  50 

Cesspool  connections   12  05 

Extension  of  water  connection   13  60 

Fences  and  gates,  front  and  rear  (temporary)   47  00 

Ten  pounds  copper  wire  to  fasten  cornices   6  00 

Building  in  water  boxes   16  00 

Building  recesses  in  second  and  third  stories   20  00 

Extra  brick  work  in  fourth  story  over  columns   37  29 

Extra  brick  work  in  fourth  story  corridor  and  cross  walls 

9  inches  higher  than  plans   94  18 

Extra  digging  in  rear   137  25 

Iron  brackets  under  stairs  106  00 

CONTINGENCIES. 

Fence  in  front  of  building  during  cellar-digging  $11  25 

Printing  proposals  and  circulars   11  25 

Indexing  Minutes  of  Common  Council  for  use  of  Commit- 
tee   25  00 

11 


82 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAETMENT  BUILDING. 


Surveying  the  laud  

Blank  record  book  for  Committee 


$25  00 
2  25 


DEDUCTIONS. 

Change  from  Wanner's  fireproof  material  to  brick  arches  $535  GO 


Smoke  flue  from  boiler  to  chimney  changed  from  cast  iron  to 

wrought  iron. 
Knowles'  pump  changed  to  Davidson's  pump. 
Change  of  size  of  courses  of  flagging  in  front  to  meet  change 

of  coping. 

Ventilating  pipes  in  fourtli  floor  omitted. 

Water  tube  increased  from  6x8  inches  to  6x13  inches. 

Flag  poles  increased  in  size  and  length. 

A  portion  of  the  head  lights  not  hung. 

Cast  instead  of  wrought  iron  lintels  over  the  basement  windows. 

First  tier  of  beams  rest  on  instead  of  framing  into  the  girders. 
This  made  a  stronger  floor,  but  reduced  the  cost. 

Third  and  fourth  tiers  rest  on  instead  of  framing  into  the 
girders.  This  change  was  made  necessary,  the  committee  having 
changed  these  beams  from  wood  to  iron.  The  36-inch  columns 
supporting  these  beams  having  been  cast  for  wooden  girders 
below  tlie  beams,  new  columns  would  have  been  necessary  if  the 
original  plans  had  been  carried  out. 

All  the  corridor  antses  were  cast  f  instead  of  1;^  inches  thick. 

The  girders  of  the  third  and  fourth  tiers  were  put  in  12^  inches 
deep  instead  of  15  inches. 

Walnut  rails  on  principal  stairs  and  well-holes  omitted  and  iron 
substitiited. 


Mason  work,  change  in  height  of  cellar  walls  

Mason  work,  east  wall,  shorter  than  plan,  found  necessary 
on  a  re-survey  


202  54 


100  00 


OFFSETS — NO  ADDITIONAL  COST  Oil  DEDUCTION. 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAETMENT  BUILDING. 


83 


Five  cast  iron  lintels  over  the  vault  doors. 

Three  cast  iron  beams  over  the  fourtli  story  corridor  columns ; 
two  7  feet  9  inches  long,  and  one  10  feet  6  inches  long. 

Six  12^-inch  rolled  iron  lintels  over  the  front  windows,  to  add 
extra  support  to  girders. 

Six  tie  rods  to  anchor  vault  arches. 

Forty-four  wrought  iron  plates  to  support  ends  of  beams  which 
came  into  recesses. 

Iron  facias  around  stairways. 

Anchor  rods  and  plates  for  arches  in  west  tower,  over  police 
entrance. 

ALTERATIONS  BY  DEPARTMENTS. 

Extra  cost  of  alterations  ordered  by  departments  and  paid  for 
out  of  their  own  respective  funds  : 

Board  of  Health  $250  00 

Board  of  City  Works   149  90 

Board  of  Police  and  Excise   418  55 

BILLS  AUDITED. 
Following  is  a  statement  of  the  bills  audited  by  City  Auditor, 
Wm.  S.  Searing,  at  their  respective  dates,  and  subsequently 
paid  by  Comptroller  Wm.  Bukrell,  and  charged  to  Construction 


Fund : 

FOR  PLANS. 

1876— Sept.     1.  J.  H.  Cornell,  Jr.  .  .  $50  00 

"     Sept.  20.  C.  F.  Isenach   50  00 

"     Oct.      5.  Wm.  A.  MundeU. . .  50  00 

"     Nov.     1.  M.  J.  Morrell   50  00 

"      Dec.    22.  Arthur  Crooks   50  00 

  $250  00 


84 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAETMENT  BUILDING. 


1876— Nov.    20.  Silas  Ludlam   $25  00 

architects'  fees. 

1876—  Nov.    10.  John  Mumford   $1,250  00 

1877—  Aug.    31.     "  "    625  00 

1878—  June    12.     "  "    625  GO* 

1876—  Nov.    10.  Wm.  B.  Ditmars...     1,250  00 

1877—  Ang.    31.         "  "...        625  00 

1878—  June    12.  "  "...        625  00* 

 $5,000  00 

$750  00 


VENTILATING  PLANS  AND  SPECIFICATIONS. 


1877- 

— Jan. 

9. 

L.  W.  Leeds  &  Co. 

INSPECTOUS'  SALARIES. 

1877- 

— Jan. 

31. 

Michael  J.  Dady.  . .. 

$120 

00 

n 

Feb. 

28. 

120 

00 

k( 

March 

31. 

n 

120 

00 

(( 

April 

30. 

u 

120 

00 

il 

May 

31. 

120 

00 

( ( 

June 

30. 

Michael  J.  Dady.  ... 

120 

00 

u 

July 

31. 

120 

00 

( ( 

Aug. 

31. 

((  t( 

120 

00 

u 

Sept. 

30. 

n 

120 

00 

u 

Oct. 

31. 

120 

00 

Nov. 

30. 

120 

00 

n 

Dec. 

31. 

it 

120 

00 

1878- 

—Jan. 

31. 

U  it 

120 

00 

n 

Feb. 

28. 

120 

00 

FENCING. 

1876- 

-Sept. 

26. 

H.  D.  Southard  

$1,680  00 


*  Certified,  but  not  audited  at  date  of  publication. 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


85 


INDEXING  MINUTES   OF   COMMON  COUNCIL  FOR  USE 
OF  COMMITTEE. 

1878— Jan.     16.  Isaac  B.  Crane   $25  00 

PRINTING  AND  BLANK  BOOK. 

1877—  Jan.      4.  Brooklyn  Baihj  Ar- 

ffus   $11  25 

1878—  April   30.  E.  M.  Whiting  & 

Co   2  25 


.  CONTRACTS. 

1876—  July    22.  Thos.  G]eavj,  exca- 

vating cellar   $765  00 

"      Aug.    11.  Thos.  Gleavy,  exca- 
vating cellar   821  20 

1877—  April   19.  W.  &  T.  Lamb,  Jr., 

mason  work   $8,000  GO 

"     May    23.  W.  &  T.  Lamb,  Jr., 

mason  work   4,500  00 

"      June    19.  W.  &  T.  Lamb,  Jr., 

mason  work   4,500  00 

"      July    25.  W.  &  T.  Lamb,  Jr., 

mason  work   7,000  00 

"      Sept.   29.  W.  &  T.  Lamb,  Jr., 

mason  work   15,500  00 

"     Nov.    24.  W.  &  T.  Lamb,  Jr., 

mason  work   10,000  00 

1878—  Jan.     16.  W.  &  T.  Lamb,  Jr., 

mason  work   581  58 

"      April   16.  W.  &  T.  Lamb,  Jr., 

mason  work   5,000  00 

"     May      2.  W.  &  T.  Lamb,  Jr., 

mason  work   6,229  00 


$13  50 


$1,586  20 


$61,310  58 


86 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


1877 — April  27,  D.  Y.  Saxtan,  iron 

work   $6,500  00 


Saxtan, 

iron 

Saxtan, 

iron 

Saxtan, 

iron 

Saxtan, 

iron 

Saxtan, 

iron 

Saxtan, 

iron 

Saxtan, 

iron 

,451  00 


(A  deduction  was  made  from  Saxtan's  contract  of 
$440  for  88  iron  ventilating  boxes  not  required. 
Overpayment  of  $G  adjusted  on  final  settlement.) 

1877— July    21.  D.  D.  Boyce,  iron  anchors   $302  52 

(A  deduction  from  Boyce's  contract  of  $237.38 — 
anchors  not  required.) 
1877— June    15.  J.    M.  Masterton, 

marble  work   $1,350  00 

"     June    15.  J.    M.  Masterton, 

marble  work   6,750  00 

"     June    29.  J.    M.  Masterton, 

marble  work   7,200  00 

"     July    24.  J.    M.  Masterton, 

marble  work   5,400  00 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


87 


1878— Jan.     16.  J.    M.  Masterton, 

marble  work   $7,000  00 

"     June      7.  J.    M.  Masterton, 

marble  work   500  00 


1877—  Aug.  1.  J.  Fallon,  carpenter  $3,422  GO 
"  Nov.  15.  "  "  9,000  00 
"     Dec.  21.  "  "  3,500  00 

1878—  Jan.  25.  "  "  5,000  00 
Feb.  23.  "  "  7,000  00 

"     March  20,  "  "  3,000  00 

"     June  3.  "  "  5,192  00 


1877 —  Aug.    28.  Jas.  Harley,  plumb- 

ing and  gas  fitting     $800  00 
"     Oct.     15.  Jas.  Harlej,  plumb- 
ing and  gas  fitting       800  00 
"      Nov.      9.  Jas.  Havlej,  plumb- 
ing and  gas  fitting     1,000  00 

1878—  Feb.    13.  Jas.  Harley,  plumb- 

ing and  gas  fitting     2,000  00 
"     May      3.  Jas.  Harley,  plumb- 
ing and  gas  fitting       343  00 


1877 — Nov,  10.  Jamer,  Jacobs  &  Co., 
heating  and  ven- 
tilating  $3,500  00 

"  Dec.  21.  Jamer,  Jacobs  &  Co., 
heating  and  venti- 
lating .  .  .  ^   2,000  00 


$28,200  00 


$36,114  00 


$4,943  00 


88 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


1878— Jan. 
"  May 

1878— Jan. 
"  May 

"  April 

"  June 
(( 

"  May 
"  Juno 


16.  Jamer,  Jacobs  &  Co., 
heating  and  venti- 
lating  $2,500  00 

3.  Jamer,  J acobs  &  Co. , 
heating  and  venti- 
lating  3,330  00 

  $11,330  00 


EXTRA  WORK. 

16.  J.  Harley,  plumbing 

2.  W.  &  T.  Lamb,  ma- 

son work  

29.  John  Fallon,  carpen- 
ter work  

10.  John  Seton,  galvan- 
ized iron  work.  . . 

10.  John  M.  Masterton, 
marble  work  

8.  Jamer,  Jacobs  &  Co., 
heating  and  venti- 
lating work  

3.  H.  P.  Bloor  

dome  sash  &  glass 
1.  Jordan  &  Son  .... 
white  marble  tab- 
let  

10.  D.  Y.  Saxtan,  iron 
work  


$197  15 
183  28 

922  00 
46  00 
303  00 

120  00 
56  00 

50  00 
116  00 

  $1,993  43 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING.  89 

EECAPITULA  TION. 

CONTRACTS. 

Excavating  cellar   $1,586  20 

Mason  work   61,310  58 

Iron  work   46,885  00 

Iron  anchors   540  00 

Carpenter  work   36,114  00 

Marble  work   28,200  00 

Plumbing  and  gas  fitting   4,943  00 

Heating  and  ventilating   11,330  00 

 $190,908  78 

Premium  on  plans   $250  00 

Architects'  fees   5,000  00 

Surveyor's  fees   25  00 

Plans  for  heating  and  ventilating   750  00 

Inspector,  fourteen  months   1,680  00 

Fencing  in  front  of  cellar   11  25 

Indexing  Minutes   25  00 

Printing  Proposals  and  Minute  book .  .  13  50 

  7,754  75 

EXTRA  WORK. 

Iron  work   116  00 

Mason  work.   183  28 

Carpenter  work   922  00 

Galvanized  iron  work   46  00 

Plmnbing  work   197  15 

Marble  work   303  00 

Heating  and  ventilating   120  00 

Dome  sash  and  glass   56  00 

Marble  tablets   50  00 

  1,993  43 


12 


$200,656  96 


90 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


DEDUCTIONS. 

Iron  anchors   $237  48 

Iron  ventilating  boxes   440  00 


$677  84 


Cost  of  building   $199,979  48 

Surplus   20  52 


Appropriation   $200,000  00 


92 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


BASEMENT. 

Room  No.  1 — Searcher's  Room,  Department  of  Collection. 
2— Police  Drill  Room. 
"       3 — Boiler  and  Fuel  Room. 
"       4 — Store  Room,  Department  of  Health. 
"       5 — Public  Water-closets, 
'        C) — Store  Room,  Department  of  City  Works. 
"■       7 — General  Store  Room. 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


FIRST  STORY. 

Departttient  of  ColLeet'i.on. 
Room  No.  1 — Collector's  Private  Room. 
"       2 — Deputy  Collector's  Room. 
"       3 — Cashier's  Room. 
"       4 — Bill  and  Assessment  Room. 
"        5 — Ciisli  book  Room. 

Registrar  of  Water  jRafes. 
Room  No.  6 — ^Registrar's  Private  Room. 
"       7 — Cashier's  Room. 
"       8 — General  Business  Room. 
"        9 — Map  Room. 

Registrar  of  ATrears. 
Room  No.  10 — General  Business  Room. 
"       11 — Registrar's  Private  Room. 
12 — Deputy  Registrar's  Room. 


J?/on  o/  -Thirst  ^tory 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


SECOND  STORY. 

Department  of  City  ^Yor^ts. 

Room  No.  1 — Commissioner's  Pi'ivate  Room. 
u       2   "  "  " 

H  g   u  u 

"  4 — Secretary's  Clerk's  Rooin. 

"  5 — Waiting  Room. 

"  6— Board  Room. 

"  7 — Secretary's  Room. 

"  8 — Store  Room. 

"  9 — Accountant's  Room. 

Dcjxirtment  of  Health. 
Room  No.  10 — Counsel's  Room. 
"       11 — Inspector's  Room. 

li^ — Sanitary  Inspector's  Room. 
"       13 — Office  for  Permits  and  Complaints. 
"  14 — President's  Room. 
"       15 — Store  Room, 
u       16—   "  " 
"       17 — Waiting  Room. 
"       18— Board  Room. 
"       19 — Secretary's  Room. 
"       20 — Registrar's  Room. 
"       21 — Registrar's  Private  Room. 
"       22 — Vaccinating  Room. 

Department  of  Assessment. 

Room  No,  23 — Board  Room. 

"  24 — President's  Room. 

"       25 — General  Business  Room. 

Department  of  Police  and  Excise. 
Room  No.  26 — General  Muster  Room. 
"       27 — Battery  Room. 

"       28 — Telegraph  Superintendent's  Work  Room. 

"       29 — Telegraph  Room. 

f       3U— Waiting  Room. 

"       31 — Inspector's  Private  Room. 

"       32 — Inspector's  Room. 

"       S3 — Superintendent's  Clerk's  Room. 

"       34 — Detective's  Room. 

"       35 — Superhitendent's  Room. 

"       36 — Superintendent's  Private  Room. 


98 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


THIRD  STORY. 
Departnnent  of  City  WorAs. 
£iigiii.eer\^  Bureau. 
Room  No.  1— Cliief  Eii.ffineer's  Room. 
2— Waiting  Room. 
"       3 — Assistant  Engineer's  Room. 
"        4 — Engineer's  Clerk's  Room. 
"       5 —       "  " 

6 —  Drawing  Room. 

7—  Clerk's  Room. 

"       8 — Assistant  Engineer's  Room. 
"       9 — Drawing  Room. 
"      10— St,, re  Room. 

"      11 — Snperintendent  of  Sewers  Room. 
Pttrveyo7''s  Bureau. 
Room  No.  12— Drawing  Room. 
"       13 — Store  Room. 

14— Clerk's  Room. 
"        15 — Purveyor's  Private  Room. 
"       16 — Deputv  Purveyor's  Room. 
17— Permit  Clerk's  Room. 
Bureau  of  Supplies. 
Room  No.  18— Permit  Clerk's  Room. 

19—  Clerk's  Room. 

20 —  Supej-in  ten  dent's  Room. 
"  21 — General  Business  Room. 
"       22 — Sewer  Assessment  Room. 

Department  of  Police  and  Excise. 
Room  No.  23— Trial  Room. 

24— Store  Room. 
"       25 — Excise  Bureau. 
"       26— Property  Clerk's  Room. 
"       27 — Deputy  Clerk's  Room. 

28—  Chief  Clerk's  Room. 

29—  Board  Room. 

30—  Waiting  Room, 

"       31 — Commissioner's  Room. 
"       32   "  u 

"       33 — Bookkeeper's  Room. 
"       34 — Commissioner's  Roon]. 

35— Store  Room. 
"  36— 


100 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


FOURTH  STORY. 

Departincnt  of  Police  and  Excise. 

Room  No,  1 — Reporters'  Room. 

"       2 — Boiler  Inspector's  Room. 

"       3 — Drill  Captain's  Room. 

"       4 — Female  Searcher  and  Janitor's  Room. 

"  5   4k  it  U  iL  i. 

"  Q   "  "  tt 

Y   "  "  "  "•'  " 

8 — Snrgeon's  Roon). 
"        9 — Detective's  !Sk'e])iiig  Room. 
"      10— Cloth  Room. 
"      11 — Ballot  Box  Store  Room. 
"      12 — Vacant  Room,  untiiiishud. 
13_  u 


Tlan   of  FovLvih  3tor<f, 


102 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


ARCniTECTURAL  DESCRIPTION. 

Furnished  by  the  Architects. 

The  farjidc  fr()ntiii<>;  on  Joi-iilenioii  street  is  of  Westcliester 
marble,  from  the  quarries  of  John  M.  Masterton,  Esq.,  at  Tucka- 
hoe,  N.  Y. 

It  is  in  the  Renaissance  style  of  the  French  and  Italian  schools, 
with  towers  at  each  angle,  and  a  centre  pavilion,  the  towers 
projectinij;  one  foot  six  inches,  and  having  a  width  of  fourteen 
feet,  returning  on  east  and  west  sides;  the  pavilion  centre  pro- 
jecting four  feet  six  inches  and  l)eing  thii-ty  feet  eight  inches  in 
width,  with  the  centre  of  same  hroken  with  an  cight-incli  pro- 
jection twelve  feet  six  inches  wide.  Tlic  small  towers  are  sur- 
mounted with  broken  segment  coniices,  oi'namental  dormers  with 
pediments  and  hood  with  crestings,  and  mansard  roofs  with  orna- 
mental cresthigs,  and  flagstaff  sixty  feet  high.  The  decks  of 
towers  are  eighty-four  feet  above  curl).  The  centre  pavilion  is  sur- 
mounted by  a  broken  mansard  roof,  main  cornices  as  above,  orna- 
mental deck  cornices,  and  a  dome  roof  witii  flninl,  the  highest  point 
being  one  hundred  and  thirty-Hve  feet  above  curb. 

The  first  story  is  rustic  ashler,  eight  inches  thick,  in  thirteen 
courses,  broken  at  angles  of  towers  and  pavilion,  with  reveal  jambs 
to  windows  six  inches,  molded  and  carved  key-stones,  and  molded 
panels  under  the  windows.  This  story  is  surmounted  with  a 
carved  and  molded  nujdillion  cornice  course.  Extending  from 
top  of  the  cornice  to  the  main  upper  cornice  line  of  the  building, 
at  the  angles  of  towers,  are  placed  pihisters,  eight  inches  projection, 
with  carved  capitals,  panelled  and  molded  pedestals,  molded  bases, 
volutes  and  ornamental  bands,  the  latter  one-third  the  height  of 
the  pilaster.  The  same  style  of  pilaster  is  also  placed  at  each  side 
and  angle  of  pavilion  centre,  six  inches  projection,  extending  to  an 
architrave  and  tVeize  course  on  line  with  main  cornice,  with  a  sill 
course  for  the  fourth  story,  upon  which  freize  is  cut  in  raised 
block  letters  the  words  Mioilcijxil  DepdHiiient  BuiidingP 
From  thence  pilasters  are  extended  with  capitals,  etc.,  as  above, 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAETMEST  BUILDING. 


103 


to  the  deck  of  main  rooi',  surmounted  with  a  cornice  same  as  main 
cornice  below,  witli  a  broken  segment,  upon  which  is  placed  a 
dormer  window,  with  hood;  tliat,  again,  surmounted  by  ornamen- 
tal band  moldings,  and  a  pediment  centre  on  each  side,  with  dome 
roof,  above  alluded  to,  over  same,  in  each  side  of  whicii  is  placed  a 
circular  or  bull's-eye  window  of  ornamental  design  and  tinish. 
In  mansard  roof,  below  each  side  of  ])avilion  roof,  is  an  oval  win- 
dow of  ornate  design. 

The  windows  of  second  story  have  panelled  and  molded  pedes- 
tals with  bases,  molded  sill  co>a-ses,  8x8  incii  champhered  pilasters, 
and  molded  and  carved  trusses,  molded  fi'eizes  and  cornices, 
six-inch  reveal  jambs  and  molded  panels.  Those  in  towers,  at 
angles  of  the  building,  have  pediment  cornices  ;  and  that  in  centre 
of  pavilion,  over  portico,  is  a  muUion  window,  with  a  segment 
cornice. 

The  windows  of  third  story  of  towers  and  pavilion  are  sup- 
])orted  on  cornices  of  those  below  by  console  brackets  or  cor- 
bels, and  molded  panels.  The  remaining  windows  of  this  story 
are  trinnned  witli  molded  sills  and  coiliels,  plain  champhered 
broken  head  architraves,  all  8x0  inches  and  six-inch  reveal  jambs. 
The  centre  window  of  pavilion  of  tliis  story  has  an  ornamental 
carved  tracery  work  architrave. 

The  fourth  story  windows  of  [)avilion  centre  have  semicircnlar 
heads  with  plain  architrave,  eight-inch  reveal,  with  plain  key-stones. 

Dormer  windows  in  mansard  roofs  are  of  galvanized  iron,  with 
panelled  and  molded  pilasters  and  reveal  jandjs,  with  pedestal 
bases  and  pediment  cornices,  all  supported  by  cornice  blockings. 
The  mansard  roofs  and  towers  are  surmounted  with  galvanized 
iron  deck  moldings,  cornices,  etc.,  and  angle  molds,  reachings,  etc., 
of  bold  design  and  finish,  and  also  snrmounted  with  ornamental 
iron  crestings  in  l)lue  and  gold. 

The  entrances,  three  in  number,  are  through  the  centre  or 
pavilion,  with  granite  ste[)S  and  })latforms,  the  central  entrance 
being  seven  feet,  and  those  each  side  five  feet  wide.    All  semi- 


104 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAETMENT  BUILDING. 


circular  arches  tlirougli  rustic  asliler,  two  feet  reveal,  wnth 
voussoirs,  and  molded  and  carved  key-stones.  Over  the  central 
entrance  is  a  portico  projecting  six  feet,  with  carved  and  molded 
columns  and  ])ilasters,  with  raised  hands,  volutes  and  molded 
hases,  and  granite  pedestal  hases.  The  columns  are  surmounted 
with  molded  architrave,  panelled  ceiling,  modillion  cornice,  and 
Corinthian  l)alustrade,  ])anelled  and  molded  pedestals  with  orna- 
mental urns,  and  stuiie  roof,  with  windows  of  centre  of  pavilion  ex- 
tending to  said  roof.  The  granite  steps  to  entranci!  extend 
into  inner  vestihule,  the  run  heing  i)r(>keii  hy  two  platforms  of  four 
and  six  feet  each. 

The  outer  entrances  are  secui-cd  hy  fancy  wrought  ii-on  gates, 
opening  inward  into  the  main  vestihule  through  inner  vestihule 
doors,  which  swing  hotli  ways,  with  the  Buckman  patent  spring 
hinge,  and  plate  glass  in  upper  panels.  When  in  princtipal  vesti- 
hule, which  is  15x24  feet,  the  passage  is  through  under  the  arcade 
of  same.  This  is  supported  hy  two  14-ir.ch  ornamental  columns, 
and  two  pilasters,  from  which  arches  are  sprung,  handsomely 
molded  and  finished  with  architraves  and  key-stones.  Tiie  pass- 
age from  thence  is  to  lohhy  under  dome,  '24x24  feet,  wliich  is 
lighted  from  roof,  with  well  openings  in  each  floor  ahove,  around 
which  are  placed  ormx  iiental  iron  rails  with  fancy  newel  posts, 
and  a  douhle  hipped  galvanized  iron  (Seton's  patent)  skylight  for 
roof  of  dome,  with  ventilation.  From  the  ahove  vestibule  and 
lohhy,  on  either  side  are  doors  in  centre  of  spaces  between  walls, 
columns  or  pilasters,  so  placed  as  to  preserve  tlie  uniformity  of 
appearance,  whicli  doors  o])en  to  the  offices  of  the  Tax  CoUecttor  on 
one  side,  and  Registrar  of  Arrears  on  the  othei'.  On  rear  wall  of 
dome  are  engraved  columns  and  i)il;isters,  with  arches,  etc.,  cor- 
responding with  those  before  described.  (These  appear  on  each 
story.)  On  first  story  on  each  side  of  centre  arch  is  placed  the  tab- 
lets, which  are  of  l)la(;k  marble  with  gilt  lettering.  Over  these,  in 
panels  immediately  under  each  and  to  the  line  of  the  abacus  of  the 
pilasters,  are  phuu-d  wliite  marble  tablets,  with  gilt  letters.  Pass- 
ing on  through  the  centre  arch,  which  is  ten  feet  wide  (elliptic), 


.i 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAETMENT  BUILDING. 


105 


tlie  principal  stairways  are  located,  occupying  a  sjiace.  with 
corridor  between,  of  28x39  feet,  on  each  side  of  whieli  is  a  flight 
of  iron  stairs  Ave  feet  six  inches  wide,  with  two  phitfonns  to  each, 
leading  to  eacli  story  ;  eacli  lighted  over  head  in  roof  by  a  skylight 
4x10  feet,  to  each  well  or  cylinder,  which  is  three  feet  wide.  At 
foot  of  stairs,  on  main  corridor,  are  placed  ornamental  iron  newels 
one  foot  six  inches  square  and  six  feet  higli,  npon  which  are  placed 
bronze  standard  newel  liglits.  Under  these  stairs  are  entrances 
by  stairways,  to  the  basement,  from  corridors,  and  tax  collector's 
office,  to  searcher's  room  in  basement. 

Tlie  I)alance  of  the  corridors,  which  extend  tlii-ough  to  rear  of  the 
building,  are  twelve  feet  wide,  from  which  large  double  doors 
open  vo  the  various  offices  or  departments.  At  the  head  of  tlie 
principal  stairs  and  passing  to  the  right  or  the  left  of  the  division 
walls,  toward  the  front,  are  private  corridors,  leading  to  the 
private  stairways,  for  the  use  of  the  departments  and  divisions  of 
same,  wliich  <)(tcn])y  portions  of  the  several  floors.  This  is  done 
to  better  accommodate  the  several  departments;  as,  for  instance, 
by  a  reference  to  the  diagrams  it  will  be  seen  that  the  Department 
of  Police  and  Excise  occui)y  portions  of  the  second,  third,  and 
fourth  floors,  on  the  west  side.  The  whole  of  this  De])artment 
could  not  well  be  acconunodated  on  one  floor,  to  the  exclusion  of 
other  departments,  which  the  public  have  occasion  to  visit.  The 
portions  of  this  Department  which  the  public  are  compelled  to 
most  frequently  visit,  the  architects  endeavored  to  keep  as  near  to 
the  lower  floors  as  possible.  The  same  applies  to  the  Board  of  City 
Works,  which  is  locat(>d  on  the  east  side  of  corresponding  floors. 
The  heads  of  the  various  Departments  were  consulted  in  relation 
thereto,  the  whole  being  arranged  with  the  view  of  hannonizing 
their  several  interests. 

The  wells  on  each  floor  under  dome,  have  circular  corners,  at 
which  are  placed  ornamental  gas  brackets,  also  at  head  of  principal 
stairways.  Pendant  and  bracket  lights  are  throughout  corridors, 
rooms,  etc. 

14 


106 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAETMENT  BUILDING. 


The  first  story  corridor  extends  through,  with  an  entrance  on 
rear,  with  vestibule  doors. 

At  the  centre,  on  the  west  side  of  tlie  building,  is  a  tower  twenty- 
two  feet  wide,  eight  feet  projection,  surmounted  with  mansard 
roof,  the  deck  of  which  is  eighty-eight  feet  above  sidewalk.  In 
the  celhir  and  first  story  of  tlie  tower  are  located  tlie  private  or 
prin(tipal  stairways,  for  the  use  of  the  Police  Dc]iartment,  which 
extend  to  the  second  floor,  where  the  same  connect  witli  a  trans- 
verse corridor  which  passes  the  squad  room  and  connect  with 
the  private  corridor  and  stairways  to  floors  above,  also  with  the 
principal  corridors. 

WORK  AND  MATERIAL. 

The  foundation  walls  are  started  ten  feet  below  curb. 

The  footing  courses  for  front  walls,  and  that  portion  of  side 
walls  which  form  towers,  are  five  feet  wide  and  twelve  inches 
thick.  The  side  and  rear  walls  have  footing  courses  four  feet 
long,  three  feet  wide,  and  one  foot  thick. 

All  the  interior  tAvelve  inch  walls  have  footings  three  feet  long, 
twM)  feet  wide  and  one  foot  tliick.  All  other  interior  walls  have 
footings  not  less  than  three  feet  long  and  three  feet  wide. 

All  piers  and  columns  have  double  footings  four  by  four  feet 
in  one  stone  for  upper  course,  and  two  stones  three  by  six  feet, 
for  lower  course,  with  dressed  l)eds. 

Chimney  and  vaults  have  double  footings  one  foot  thick. 

All  the  above  footings  are  of  the  best  Greenwich  stone,  laid 
with  a  derrick,  and  all  bedded  in  six  inches  thick  of  cement ;  also, 
concrete  footings  imcler  all  stoop  walls  and  steps. 

On  top  and  centre  of  all  footing  courses  are  started  the  bri(;k 
walls.  Those  of  side  and  rear  are  carried  up  to  the  water  tables, 
twenty-four  inches  thick,  laid  solid  in  cement  and  sand  mortar, 
and  thence  to  tlie  top  of  the  cornices,  eighteen  inches  thick, 
formed  of  two  eight-inch  walls  with  two  inclies  hollow  space  be- 
tween, tied  together  every  two  feet  in  every  sixth  course  witli 
cast  iron  anchors.    The  front  wall  of  cellar  and  sides  formiTig 


r 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


107 


towers  ;ire  l)uilt  solid,  three  feet  tliick,  and  al)ove  same  to  cornice, 
two  feet  four  thick,  iiichidiiiij;-  ashler.  The  area  walls  and  founda- 
tions for  stoop  and  porch  are  all  of  brick,  laid  in  solid  lime  and 
cement  mortar,  and  for  the  support  of  the  front  phitforms  twelve- 
inch  arches  are  sprung  from  wall  to  wall. 

The  corridor  walls  are  commenced  ;is  above,  on  footings  twenty 
inches  thick  up  to  first  tier  of  beams,  thence  to  tourth  story  six- 
teen inclies  thick,  and  from  thence  to  roof  beams  twelve  inches 
thick. 

Tlie  main  transverse  walls  are  built  from  their  footings  to  the 
first  tier  of  beams  sixteen  inches  thick,  and  above  tliat  to  roof  from 
twelve  to  sixteen  inches,  as  required  by  the  specilications  and 
plans. 

The  sliort  transverse  walls  of  cori-idors  are  carried  to  the  roof 
twelve  inclies  thick. 

Tlie  vault  walls  commence  on  the  footings  and  are  carried  u[t 
to  the  first  tier  of  i)eams  twenty- four  inches  thick,  thence  to  third 
tier  twenty  inclies  thick,  and  over  ea(;h  vault  are  turned  a  twelve- 
inch  semicircular  arch  from  wall  to  wall,  and  anchored  withthree- 
foxH'th-iiich  liolts.  In  each  story  is  Iniilt  into  these  walls  an  iron 
door  frame  ;  these  walls  are  laid  in  clear  cement  and  sand  mortar. 

The  walls  of  the  cash  hook  room,  tax  department,  are  built 
as  above. 

The  walls  for  the  tower  on  the  west  side  are  sixteen  inches 
tliick  in  l)asenient,  tlience  to  full  height,  twelve  niches  thick. 

The  walls  for  the  chimney  are  sixteen  inches  thick  from  the  foot- 
ings to  the  roof,  and  carried  up  ten  feet  above  roof,  twelve  inches 
thick.  All  the  piers  in  the  l)asement  are  two  feet  eight  inches 
square. 

The  side  walls  from  grade  to  cornice,  including  brick  facias,  are 
faced  with  Colalnu'g  brown  fronts,  in  cement  and  lime  mortar. 

The  walls  of  outer  vestibule  are  faced  with  Philadelphia  pressed 
brick,  in  red  mortar,  with  joints  lined  in  black. 

The  other  brick  work  is  of  the  best  Ilaversti'aw  Bay  hard  brick, 
laid  in  mortar,  composed  of  two  barrels  of  Rosendale  cement,  and 


108 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAETMENT  BUILDING. 


one  of  best  Rockland  lime,  with  proper  proportions  of  cleuu  sharp 
sand,  made  fresli  every  (lay.  Arches  are  turned  over  all  the  door 
and  window  openings  and  between  the  antae  on  the  floor  of 
main  stairs  in  each  story.  All  brick  work  is  laid  with  full  and 
flush  joints  struck  smooth,  and  every  sixth  (tourse  a  header 
course. 

All  walls  exposed  to  the  earth  have  a  heavy  coat  of  asphaltum 
applied  before  filling  against. 

All  the  windows  in  brick  walls  have  eight-inch  reveals. 

The  entire  first,  second,  third  and  fourth  stories,  are  filled 
between  beams  with  four-inch  brick  arches  in  cement. 

The  greater  portions  of  partitions  throughout  the  building  are 
of  patent  hollow  tile,  four  inches  thick,  and  all  the  rafters  of  man- 
sard roofi  which  are  iron,  are  also  filled  in  between  with  same  mate- 
i"ial,  in  same  manner. 

All  the  piers  have  bluestone  bond  lilocks  five  inclies  thick  in 
eveiT  two  feet,  and  granite  caps  twelve  inches  thick.  The  entire 
cellar  is  concreted,  excei)t  engine  and  boiler  room,  which  is  paved 
with  brick  on  edge  in  concrete,  and  grouted. 

There  is  one  course  of  bluestone  flagging  on  each  side  and  rear 
of  building,  and  thence  out  to  Livingston  street,  in  one  course 
six  feet  wide.  Bluestone  sills  to  all  sides  and  rear  openings,  water 
table  on  side  and  I'ear,  6x14 ;  also  bluestone  foot  blocks  under 
each,  iron  beam  on  walls,  granite  blocks  under  girders  where 
resting  on  walls,  and  bond  blocks  in  walls  in  every  two  feet  where 
such  gilders  are  located. 

All  the  vaults  and  the  cash  book  room  have  planed  bluestone 
floors  four  inches  thick. 

All  the  steps,  sills,  platforms,  etc.,  at  the  side  and  rear  entrances 
<jre  of  fine-axed  bluestone.  All  smoke  flues  are  capped.  Rear 
wall  is  coped  with  bluestone,  4x14.  The  roof  of  porch  is  of  same 
material. 

There  is  no  plastering  in  basement,  except  in  the  Searcher's 
i-oom,  which  is  a  hard  finish,  also  all  ceilings  of  stories  above. 
Sand  or  stucco  finish  for  all  side  walls. 


I 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


109 


The  girders  in  each  story,  except  rout',  ure  of  roUeil  iron — two 
tifteen-iiicli  beams  I)olte(]  together — and  supported  hy  fourteen, 
twelve,  and  eiirlit-incli  (haiiieter  cast  iron  cohunns,  with  orna- 
mental capitals  and  ba^es  resting  one  upon  the  other,  and  bolted 
together,  with  requisite  plates  and  bolts.  Each  tier  of  beams, 
except  those  of  roof,  are  of  rolled  iron,  varying  in  depth  fi'om 
nine  to  fifteen  inches,  and  weighing  from  seventy-five  to  a  hundred 
and  thirty-five  pounds  |)L'r  yard,  jis  per  the  several  spaces  required, 
and  ]ilaced  ab^ut  fmir  fi-et  apart. 

The  deck  or  main  roof  beams  are  of  spruce,  3x12  inches.  })laced 
sixteen  inches  from  centres,  and  sujiitorted  between  walls  with 
Georgia  pine  girders,  SxlO  inches. 

The  mansard  roofs  arc  formed  with  :>x4-inch  '•'•T"'  ii'on  rolled 
beams  bolted  to  wall  plates  of  rolled  iron,  ^xS  inches,  well  an- 
chored to  walls,  with  three-quarter-inch  bolts  four  feet  long,  built 
into  walls  three  feet  apart.  'J  lie  angle  beams  of  central  tower 
are  nine  inches,  weighing  seventy  pounds  per  yard,  and  the  small 
towers  si.x  inches,  forty  pounds  per  yard.  Along  the  tops  of  these 
roof  beams  are  bolted  4x<')-iiich  angle  irons  to  carry  the  wooden 
roof  rafters,  ant!  over  tlie  heads  of  the  dormer  windows  are 
bolted  3x;»-inch  angle  iron. 

The  decks  of  all  roofs  are  covered  with  one  and  a  (piarter-inch 
tongued  and  grooved  white  pine  mill-worked  roof  plank,  and 
they  covered  with  double  thickness  of  taiTed  felt,  and  then  cover- 
ed with  best  machine  l)rand  charcoal  tin.  All  angle  molds,  reacli- 
ings,  cornices,  dormer  windows,  etc.,  are  of  the  best  Bloom  No. 
twenty-six  galvanized  iron,  and  all  mansard  roofs  and  towers  are 
covered  with  10x20  and  9x1 8-inch  Chapnum  quarry  bhick  slate, 
well  rendered  in  mortar,  on  the  fireproof  material. 

The  principal  stairs  from  the  first  to  the  fourth  stoi'v  from  the 
main  corridors  are  of  iron;  also  rail,  balusters,  newells,  etc.,  all 
of  artistic  design.  There  are  three  fliglits  of  private  stairways 
which  are  of  wood  ;  one  from  the  cell  ir  to  the  second  story  on  the 
westerly  side  in  tower,  which  is  used  as  a  ])rivate  entrance  for  the 
police  department,  as  hereiul)efore  described,  the  two  others,  from 


110 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


the  second  to  the  foiirtli  storv  on  l  ueli  side  of  ])riiieip<d  coi-ridor 
walls,  near  front,  wliicli  are  used  for  the  de])artinent  occnijyiug 
rooms  conti<i:;uoiis  thereto,  as  also  hereiiil)efore  described,  all 
of  which  are  of  Geory-ia  ])iiie,  with  two  inch  treads  one  and  a 
quarter-inch  risers,  molded  walnut  rails,  two  and  a  quarter-inch 
fancy  turned  l)alusters.  and  box  strini>;s.  Each  stairway  is  lighted 
from  roof  by  suital)]e  sized  skylights  of  Setou's  patent  galvan- 
ized iron,  and  glazed  with  three-sixteenth  inch  ribbed  or  corrugated 
glass.  On  each  side  of  main  coi  ridor  walls,  beside  principal  stairs, 
are  private  corridors  leading  to  the  above  private  stairways,  the 
same  ])eing  liglited  l)y  sash  ])ai'titions  dividing  same  from  rooms 
on  each  side. 

Also  all  partitions  of  interior  are  sash  wheie  required  to  utilize 
the  light,  or  for  ventilation. 

All  the  floors,  exce])t  those  of  princi])al  corridors  of  first  and 
second  stories,  are  laid  with  S^xli-inch  mill-worked  Geoi-gia  pine 
on  2x5-inch  spruce,  placed  twenty  inches  apart,  and  well  secured 
to  iron  floor  l)eams  I'unning  crosswise  of  stune,  witli  pockets 
screwed  down  over  all  joints  in  gas  or  other  pi])es  under  same. 
The  corridors  of  first  and  second  stories  are  laid  with  best  English 
encaustic  tile,  selected  colors,  and  of  beautiful  design — this  work 
being  perfoi-ined  hy  Messrs.  Miller  cfe  Coates,  of  New  York  city. 

The  principal  skylight  or  doii^e  is  fourteen  feet  square  at  base, 
of  Seton's  patent,  witii  gal\'anized  iron  frames,  ribs,  bars,  etc., 
and  glazed  with  rough  plate  glass. 

All  the  interior  finish  is  of  selected  white  pine,  and  painted 
three  coats  in  parti-colors,  and  inside  blinds  to  all  windows  except 
fourth  story. 

All  the  hardware  is  of  Russell  &  Erwin's  best  manufacture, 
bronze  furniture  complete;  all  double  doors  have  self-locking 
bolts  ;  all  doors  opening  to  rooms  from  main  corridors  have  three- 
sixteenth-inch  fluted  glass  in  upper  panels,  one  light  to  each ;  all 
interior  sash  and  sash  dooi's  are  glazed  with  ground  glass. 

First  story  front  sash  is  glazed  with  English  polished  plate, 
and  all  other  front  sash  with  twenty-six  ounce  English  sheet,  and 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


Ill 


all  otlier  windows  witli  first  ([uality  French  sheet.  All  sash  are 
furnished  with  real  bronze  lifts  and  pull  i)lates.  All  doors  enter- 
ing rooms  from  main  corridors  have  Bnckman  patent  springs, 
japanned,  with  acorn  tips. 

All  bntts  to  doors  are  japanned,  wirh  real  bronze  acorn  tips.  The 
vestibnle  doors,  front  and  rear,  are  linng  with  the  liiickman  patent 
spring  hinge,  japanned  and  bronze  tips. 

All  water  closets  and  wash  basins  ai'e  fitted  up  in  black 
walnnt. 

All  doors  from  corridors  ]\:ive  semicircnlar  lieads,  with  head 
lights.    All  intcriur  doors  othei-wise  locate(i  also  have  head-hghts 
mostly  hung  on  pivots. 

The  painting  was  done  by  C.  il.  Bkrry,  Esq. 

The  sash,  glass,  doors,  blinds,  and  other  panel  work  by  G.  H. 
Gerard,  Esq. 

Tlie  plumbing  and  gas  fitting  is  of  tii'st-class,  as  follows:  there 
are  two  lines  of  sewers,  of  eight  incli  vitrified  earthen  drain,  one 
from  Joralemon  street  and  one  from  Livingston  street,  which 
are  carried  through  and  under  cellar  bottoms  to  the  lines  of  the 
various  works.  In  the  (;ellar  is  located  the  water  closets  and 
urinals  for  public  use,  six  of  each  in  number.  All  rain  water 
conductors  from  roofs,  of  which  there  are  eight,  are  connected 
withi^ewer.  All  iron  soil  and  water  i)ij)('s  are  five  iiu^hes  diameter, 
well  painted  before  being  placed  in  ])osition,  and  then  well 
secured. 

The  water  supply  is  also  taken  from  both  streets,  each  through 
a  l^-inch  galvanized  iron  sui)ply,  extra  heavy,  to  the  inside  walls 
of  building,  theiuie  on  each  partition  wall,  up  to  the  fourth  floor, 
on  each  side,  for  hose  attachments  for  fire  purposes,  with  heavv 
brass  ca])s,  gloI)e  valves,  round-ways,  and  also  up  to  and  out  on 
roof. 

The  tap  fiom  Livingston  street  supplies  all  the  boilers  and  all 
the  works  on  the  east  side  of  corridor  ;  the  main  from  Joralemon 
street  supplying  all  the  works,  including  fire  services,  west  of 
corridor.    The  branch  supply  to  all  the  works  from  the  above 


112 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAETMENT  BUILDING. 


main  lines  is  a  one-inch  pipe,  as  to  the  front  and  rear  respectively, 
and  then  AAA  half-incli  and  tliree-eiglitli-inch  lines  of  lead 
pi])e  are  rnn  to  the  several  works  ;is  re(jnired,  to  sn]i])ly  all  wash 
basins,  taid-cs  and  nrinals. 

In  the  basement  are  set  j)laiii  ii'on  enaniellcd-self  actiiii;-  hopper 
closets,  with  traps  or  combined  and  fly-n])  seats,  the  traps  cap])ed, 
with  openinf^s  in  same  for  cleaniii<>;  ont,  and  supplied  through 
half-inch  AAA  lead  supply  ])ipe. 

In  each  story  above  cellar  are  set,  at  oonvem'ent  ])oints,  the 
American  Defiance  Cari-'s  ])nt('nt  closets,  forty  in  numiier,  sup- 
plied from  tanks  over  ea<-li.  These  are  located,  with  few  ex- 
ceptions, under  or  adjoinin<>;  light  sliafts  i)uilt  for  the  purpose; 
also  the  urinfds.  Each  tank  is  furnished  with  valves,  overflows, 
Fuller's  patent  ball-cocks,  and  strainers,  coni[)]ete,  and  all  lined 
with  four-pf)und  sheet  lead. 

There  is  also  furnished  twenty  l^edfni-dshire  urinals,  large 
size,  with  nickel  plated  sliields,  toj)  and  l)ottum,  and  sup|)lied 
through  lialf-inch  A  A  A  lead  pipe  and  half-inch  plated  self 
closing  Boston  c>)mpression  urinal  cocks  ;  furnished  with  Italian 
marble,  two-inch  beds,  counter  sunk:  brass  strainers  and  cou])- 
lings;  ogee  molded  Itaban  marble  hacks,  four  feet  high  ;  and  half- 
inch  Boston  compression  bibbs  under  urinals  (l)rass)  for  drawing 
water.  Urinals  in  basement  for  ])ublic  use  are  of  cast  iron,  enam- 
elled, with  backs,  supj)lied  through  A  A  A  lead,  half-inch  supply, 
running  the  whole  length,  and  furnished  with  plain  l)rass  com- 
pression bibl)s. 

There  are  fifty- two  wash  basins  thro  ighout  the  l)uilding, 
all  fourteen-inch  Warfitier's  ware,  marl)le  pattern,  with  patent 
overflows,  secuj-ed  to  nuirble  toj^s  with  brass  basin  clam]:)S.  The 
to])S,  backs  and  ends  are  of  Italian  marble, .ogee  molded  edges. 
They  are  all  supplied  with  cold  w;iter  througli  three-eighth-inch 
AAA  lead  sup])ly,  and  tlii-ee-eighth  inch  })lat('d  Boston  com- 
pression self-closing  l)asin  cocks,  and  furnished  with  plugs  and 
chains,  and  trapped  with  S  traps  and  sci-ews. 

Safes  under  all  works  lined  with  4-lb  foheet  lead,  properly 
wasted  and  trapped,  and  furnished  with  brass  strainers. 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


113 


HEATING  AND  VENTILATING. 

Tliere  are  two  boilers  of  the  t'ullowinc;  description  :  Horizontal 
tul^ular.  four  feet  six  inclies  diameter,  and  fonrteen  feet  long,  con- 
taining sixty-five  la])-\velded  tul)es,  tliree  inches  diameter  and  four- 
teen feet  long.  Eacli  boiler  has  six  heavy  cast  iron  lugs  nine  inclies 
\\nde,  and  one  and  a  quarter  inclies  thick,  and  projecting  twelve 
inches,  three  riveted  on  each  side  of  each  boiler.  Under  these 
lugs  are  placed  one-inch  iron  phites,  sixteen  inches  long,  twelve 
in(;hes  wide,  and  between  the  lugs  and  jdates  are  placed  steel 
rollers,  to  allow  for  expansion  and  contraction.  Each  boiler  has 
a  mandiole  in  the  top  of  the  dome.  The  shells  of  the  boilers  are 
of  tiie  best  (jiialitj  C.  H.  No.  1  iron,  5-1  (Jtli-inch  thick,  except  the 
sheets  over  the  fire,  which  are  of  the  best  quality  of  reheated  fire 
box  iron,  same  thickness,  'i'he  heads  are  of  the  best  quality  flange 
iron,  lialf-incli,  rea:iied  for  connections  and  tubes. 

The  boilers  arc  riveted,  chipped,  calked  and  braced  in  the 
best  manner.  All  longitudinal  seams  are  double  riveted  with 
£-inch  rivets,  plac;'d  two  inclies  from  centres.  Each  sheet  used 
in  the  construction  of  these  boilers  is  clearly  stamped,  showing 
the  grade  of  the  iron  and  the  maker's  name.  Each  boiler  was 
thoroughly  tested  l)y  hydrostatic  pressure,  150  lbs  to  the  s(piare 
inch,  and  (certificates  given  l)y  the  proper  authorities  I)efore  they 
left  the  maker's  shop. 

Each  is  furnished  with  full  section  cast  iron  fronts,  W.  AV". 
Tuj)per's  patent  grate  bars,  bearers,  bai'S,  back-stays,  tie  rods, 
anchors,  anchor  holts,  flame  bolts,  ash  ])it,  back  connection  doors, 
cleaning  out  doors  for  front  opening,  from  centre,  and  (leorge 
Fox's  patent  wrought  iron  and  feed  water  arch  plates. 

These  boilers  are  set  side  Iiy  side  in  best  North  River  brick  and 
cement  mortar :  one  outer  wall  twelve  inches  thick  set  two  inches 
from  partition  wall  of  buihling,  and  the  other  one  eighteen  inches 
thick,  with  two  inches  air  space.  The  division  walls  between  the 
boilers  are  twenty-four  inches  thick. 

15 


1 


114 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


Over  eacli  boiler  is  built  a  double  arch  for  smoke  flues,  the 
cross  section  of  which  contains  four  hundred  and  fifty  square 
inches  at  its  narrowest  ])art,  and  these  are  connected  with  vertical 
smoke  flues  by  horizontal  cast  iron  flue  passing  from  the  I'ear  of 
the  boilers  across  and  underneath  the  floor  of  the  corridoi-s.  The 
cross  section  of  this  flue  contains  nine  hundred  square  inches. 
The  side  walls  above  the  saflng  are  twelve  inches  thick,  extending 
as  high  as  the  arches,  coped  with  Sxl-l-inch  bluestoiiC. 

The  furnace  and  bridge  walls  and  back  connections  are  lined 
with  No.  1  Jersey  tirebi-ick.  Each  boiler  is  furnished  with  a 
4-inch  safety  valve,  brass  steam  gauge,  10-inch  dial,  and  a 
water  glass  18-inch,  f-iiich  gauge  cocks,  wood  handle.  Water 
gauges  and  cocks  are  finished  in  brass  drums  four  inches  internal 
diameter,  metal  ^-inch  thick  and  twenty-eight  iiiches  long,  with 
finished  brass  elbows  and  iiipples  where  going  through  the  boiler 
fronts.  The  drums  ai'e  secured  to  tlie  boilers  at  the  top  and 
bottom  of  the  shell  with  the  steam  and  water  connection,  one-inch 
internal  diameter  and  globe  valves.  There  is  also  an  automatic 
fire  regulator  connected  with  the  dampers  to  flues,  with  proper 
feed  check  and  blow-off  valves,  each  1^-inch,  and  so  arranged  that 
either  boiler  cau  be  used  independently,  or  both  together  as 
desired. 

The  blow-off  from  the  boilers  is  1^-incli  internal  diameter,  con- 
nected with  the  sewer  at  a  point  beyond  all  other  connections. 
All  is  furnished  with  a  full  set  of  fire  tools  and  thirty  feet  of 
1^-inch  four- ply  hose  {^nil}her)w\i\i  brass  nozzle  and  coujdings  com- 
j)lete.  The  boilers  are  (-onnected  by  6-inch  internal  diameter 
wrought  iron  pipes,  on  which  are  placed  two  6-inch  globe  valves 
near  eacli  dome,  so  as  to  isolate  either  boiler  tliat  may  he  used  to 
do  all  the  heating.  Valves  are  placed  in  all  main  su])j)ly  and  return 
pipes  and  return  near  the  main  horizontal  pipes.  All  pipes  are  sup- 
])orted  on  hangers  or  rollei'S  to  allow  for  expansion  and  contraction, 
and  l-l6th-inch  to  the  ti,>ot  hdl  or  rise  for  drainage,  and  no  ])ockets 
or  traps  where  the  water  (-an  remain.  All  the  horizontal  pipes  in 
the  cellar  are  covered  witli  No.  1  hair  felt  and  No.   1  canvas 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAIITMENT  BUILDINCi. 


115 


(luck.  Tlie  risinjf  pipes  from  first  to  second  story  are  l:[-iiicli, 
and  from  second  to  tbinl  stories  1-incli,  and  where  they  run  to 
the  fom'tli  stor}',  they  are  continued  I:|^-inch  to  tlie  third  story 
floor.   All  return  pipes  are  one  size  smaller  than  the  supply  pipes. 

There  is  also  furnished  two  McNeill  steam  return  traps  with 
connection  titfcing-s,  for  returning  all  condensed  steam  from  every 
part  of  the  building  to  the  boilers. 

There  is  also  provided  a  hot  well  of  cast  and  wrought  iron, 
three  feet  dee]>  and  thirty  inches  diameter  and  covered  and  con- 
nected with  steam  trap  so  arranged  with  valves  as  to  be  under  the 
control  of  the  engineer. 

For  the  purpose  of  feeding  one  or  both  of  the  boilers  is  set  in 
boiler  room  on  solid  l)rick  foundation  a  D;ividson's  steam  pump, 
with  all  proper  steam  and  exhaust  pipes,  valves,  drips,  and  water 
connections. 

The  radiators  are  vertical,  set  principally  at  tlie  windows,  made 
to  rit  between  jambs,  having  ornamental  cast  iron  tops  and  bases, 
and  of  size  and  heating  capacity  required  for  each  location,  each 
having  separate  globe  valves.  Als(j  an  automatic  air  valve  with 
pipe  for  discharged  air  imd  drip  water.  All  valves  ai"e  nickel 
plated  and  hard  wood  handles,  and  all  radiators  are  bronzed  in 
gold  color.  Coils  are  placed  also  in  ventilating  shafts  of  requisite 
capacity. 

The  floors  of  the  halls,  first  story,  are  w^armed  by  running  four 
one-inch  wrought  iron  pipes  in  each  space  between  beams  and 
coimected  at  each  end  with  wrought  iron  head  pipes  hanging 
one-inch  below  cellar  ceiling— these  pipes  having  been  tested  to  a 
hydrostatic  pressure  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  pounds. 

Two  coils  are  hung  at  the  Ijasement  ceiling  near  tlie  front 
entrance  doors,  with  flues  from  same  through  corridor  walls,  with 
registers  in  same,  and  furnished  witli  cold  air  boxes. 

Fresh  air  is  introduced  into  each  ro(jm  when  desired  by  slightly 
raising  the  lower  sash  of  the  window,  the  incoming  air  being 
deflected  upward  by  the  means  of  a  curved  sill  attached  to  the 
window  frames. 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


'J'liere  is  coimtriictetl  two  vi'iitilatiiig  tines  ruiiiiiiijj;  tVom  ceilings 
ot"  water  closets  in  tlu^  nortlieastcrly  and  noi-tliwesterly  rooms 
front,  of  galvanized  ircjn,  and  carrii'd  throngli  to  the  roof  and 
capped. 

Ventilation  is  also  pi-ovided  Ity  spaces  left  between  the  beams, 
or  where  this  was  fonnd  impracticable,  l)y  galvanized  iron  ducts, 
for  the  ventilation  of  water-closets. 

The  sky-lights  over  the  light  shafts,  and  over  the  private  stair- 
ways are  I'aised  and  enclosed  partially  by  galvanized  ircju  boxes. 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


117 


OPINIONS  OF  DKPAltTMENTS. 

On  tlic  I5tli  of  .rune,  ISTS,  Alderman  Frencli  addressed  to  rlie 
heads  of  tlie  sevei'al  DejiHrtnients,  o  cupying  tlie  jMunieipal  De- 
partment Building,  the  following: 

The  undersigned.  Chairman  of  tlie  Committee  on  New  Mn- 
nicipal  liuilding,  respe<"-tfnlly  request  your  IIonorHhle  Hoard  to 
furnish  in  writing  your  opinioii  of  the  adaptation  of  the  portion 
of  the  said  building  set  apart  for  the  use  of  jour  Department, 
both  as  to  yourselves  and  tlie  })ul)lic  ha\  ing  business  to  transact 
with  you.  Yours  very  truly, 

JOHN  FRENCH, 

(Vidj  riiian. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Aldermen  in  charge,  June  2(>,  Alder- 
man French  presented  the  following  replies  to  the  foregoing  : 

DKl'ARTiMENT  OF  CiTl'  WoKKS,  ^ 

Commissioners'  Office,  Municipal  Department  Building,  - 

Brooklyn,  June  17,  1878.  S 

John  French,  Esq., 

Chairman  (Jomiuittee  on  JVew  ManicqMl  Bn  'ddhuj: 
Dear  Sir  : 

In  answer  to  your  favor  of  .Tune  15,  wherein  you  ask  the  o\v\\\- 
ion  of  the  Commissioners  of  ttiis  De})artment  respecting  the  ada[)- 
tation  of  the  portion  of  the  New  Municipal  Building  set  apart  for 
the  use  of  this  Department,  both  as  to  ourselves  and  the  [)id)lic 
having  business  with  the  Department,  I  have  to  say,  on  ijchalf  of 
the  lioard,  that  they  are  well  pleased,  and  have  no  reason  to 
doubt  but  that  the  public  also  are. 

Respectfully  y(jurs, 

F.  S.  MASSEY, 

President. 


llH 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


Office  of  the  Chief  Cleiuc,  DepHrtincut  of  ^ 
PuLiCK  juul  Excisio,  of  tlie  City  of  Brooklyn, 

BiiouKiAN,  June  18,  1878.^ 

Hon.  JuHN  Fkench, 

Chairiiiun  Contiuittee  on.  New  Maiucipal  liKtlduuj  : 
Dear  Siu  : 

I  am  dim^ted  by  tlie  Board  of  Police  and  Excise  to  acknowledf^e 
receipt  of  your  communication  of  the  loth  inst.,  recjuesting  their 
opinion  as  to  the  adaptation  of  tlic  ))ortion  of  the  new  Municipal 
Building  set  apart  for  this  Dcpa;  Iment.  In  reply  thereto,  1  am 
instructed  to  state  for  your  infiniuition  thiit  the  Board  ai'e  en- 
tirely satisfied  with  the  apartments  assigned  for  their  use.  With 
a  few  slight  alterati(  ns  the  acconnnodations  would  l)e  complete. 
It  is  with  pleasure  that  the  CoiUiuissioners  avail  themselves  of  the 
opportunity  to  congratulate  the  Building  Connnittee,  the  noiu)r- 
able  the  Common  Council,  and  tl>e  people  of  the  city  of  Brooklyn, 
upon  the  completion  of  such  a  magnificent,  convenient  and  com- 
modious building. 

The  Commissioners  also  desire  to  add,  that  after  a  (;areful 
examination  of  the  entire  structure  they  are  gratified,  as  you  cer- 
tainly must  be,  that  such  an  elegant  edifice  was  erected  and 
completed  at  a  cost  within  the  limits  of  the  very  moderate  sum 
appropriated.    I  have  the  honor  to  be 

I'espectfully  yours, 

SAMUEL  RICHARDS, 

Chief  Clerk. 

BoAlil)  OF  ASSESSOUS,  > 

Room  No.  20,  jMunicipal  Department  Buihh'ng,  ^- 
Bkooklyn,  .June  20,  1878.  ^ 

Hon.  John  Fkench, 

Chairman  of  the  Comiiuttee  on  Neiv  Jfunicipal  Dejjartment 
Building. 

Dear  Sir  : 

I  think  it  fitting  that  at  this  time,  when  you  are  surrendering 
your  trust,  I  should  say  to  you  and  the  Houoral)le  Committee, 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


119 


tliat  the  rooms  that  have  been  assigned  to  the  Department  of 
Assessment  prove  admirably  adapted  to  their  appointed  use, 
whether  considered  with  reference  to  the  ])ubhc  havini^;  business 
here  or  to  tliose  who  are  employed  in  the  Department.  The 
large  room  is  spacious,  well  liglited  and  warmed,  and  affords  ample 
yet  not  excessive  accommodations  for  the  transactions  of  the  office, 
while  the  smaller  rooms  provide  every  additional  convenience 
that  is  needed,  particularly  tlie  room  for  tlio  meetings  of  the 
Hourd  of  Assessors,  which  very  well  supplies  a  want  that  was  illy 
provided  for  in  the  apai'tnients  heretofore  n^ed  in  the  City  Hall. 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

JOHN  TRUSLOW, 
Prei^t  of  the  Board  of  Assessors. 

Depahtmkxt  of  Cor.LECTION,  ^ 
Rooms  2,  -t,  (),  S  and  10  ]\Iu!iicij)al  Building,  > 
Brookian,  Jnne  19,  1878.  ) 

Hon.  John  French, 

Chairmcm  Committee  on  Nev)  Municipal  Building. 
Drar  Sir  : 

Yours  of  the  l.'ith  inst.,  asking  for  my  opinion  concerning  the 
adaptation  of  the  present  offices  of  this  Department  to  the  pub- 
lic convenience  and  to  the  requirements  of  the  employes  of  the 
J)epartment,  is  before  me. 

Ill  res])onse  thei-eto,  I  am  happy  to  be  able  to  say  to  you  that 
in  my  opinion  all  reasonMl)le  requirements  are  fully  met  by  our 
present  accommodations.  Our  quarters  are  sufficiently  large,  are 
well  lighted  and  ventilated,  and  the  three  Tax  Departments  so 
compactly  located  as  to  be  all  the  general  public  can  reasonably 
demand  until  the  age  of  reason  shall  ]irevail,  and  tlie  tax-payers 
of  Brooklyn  be  allowed  to  settle  all  their  indebtedness  to  the  city 
in  one  Department. 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

JAMES  TANNER, 

Collector  Taxes  and  Assessments. 


120 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAETMENT  BUILDING. 


Department  of  Health,  ^ 
Office  of  the  Bo;in!  of  Heiiltli,  Miniicipal  Dept.  Building,^ 

]>K(X)KLYN-,  June  20,  1878. "  ^ 

IIoii.  John  French, 

C/uilriiKui  Ciini'jiiiUee  on.  Ncvj  Munieipal  BuildhK/. 
Dear  Sir: 

Your  note,  inquiriuii-  liow  the  Board  of  Ilealfli  and  the  public 
are  acconiniodated  by  the  offices  assio;ned  the  Department  in  the 
new  l)uilding,  lias  l)eeii  referred  to  nie  for  reply. 

It  is  inipofcsible  for  nie  to  make  other  answer  than  this ;  our 
rooms  are  admiral)ly  arranged  and  adaj)ted  to  our  wants ;  they 
are  commodious,  well  lighted  and  well  ventilated.  We  do  not 
see  how  they  could  well  be  more  coTivenient  either  for  the  uses 
of  the  I)e])artment  and  it  ;  em[)loy(''s  or  the  accommodation  of  the 
public  having  business  therewith. 

On  behalf  of  the  lioard  of  Healtli  allow  me  to  heartily  thank 
your  Committee  and  the  Common  Council  for  the  kindness  ex- 
tended !ind  dis))osition  manifested  toward  this  Department. 

1  am  vei*y  truly  yours, 

JAMES  CRANE,  M.  D. 

President 

Department  of  Arrears,  j| 
Municipal  De})artment  Building,  ^ 
'  lJuooKi.YN,  June  IS,  1<S78.  *) 

John  Fuench,  Esq., 

Ckairiiian,  Coiiiiaittee  on  JVein  MnnH'ipal  Ihiildvu/  : 

Dear  Sir: 

Your  letter  of  the  loth  instant,  requ(!sting  my  opinion  respect- 
ing the  portion  of  the  Municipal  iJuilding  set  a[)art  for  use  of  this 
Department  is  duly  received. 

In  repl}^,  I  would  say  that  the  rooms  acsigned  to  this  Depart- 
ment give  entire  satisfaction  so  far  as  1  (;an  judge.  There  is 
ample  space  for  all  prcsenr  purposes,  and  the  same  is  properly 
arranged  and  furnished  with  a  view  to   ti:e  convenience  of  the 


.^MUNICIPAL  DEPAETMENT  BUILDING.  121 

employes,  searcliers  and  others  liaving  business  here,  and  fur  the 
accomtnodation  of  thei)uhhc. 

Very  respectfully, 

EUFUS  L.  SCOTT, 

iLcgistiur  of  Arfeai's. 


Department  of  City  Wokks,  ^ 
Nassau  Water  Dei'artmen  t,  ' 
Bureau  of  Water  Rates,  Registrar's  Ottice,  , 
J>R()oKrA'N',  June  1<S,  1878.  J 

Aid.  John  French, 

Ckdh'iiKiii  Co'iiiiD.ittee  on.  Ncio  Munh-'ipul  liii'ililiiKj  : 
Dear  Sir: 

In  response  to  the  request  contained  in  youi-  note  of  tlu*  l.')th 
inst.,  I  have  to  inform  you  tliat  tlie  room  assigued  to  tliis  Ihireau 
for  the  transaction  of  its  business  is  well  adapted  to  the  purposes, 
l)eing  large,  airy,  and  well  lighted,  and  the  ventilation  good. 
I  have  heard  no  complaint  from  either  the  public  or  employes. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  sei-vant, 

CHAS.  A.  Mclaughlin, 

Rerjhtrar  of  Watc/'  Rates. 

16 


122 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


OPENING  DAT. 
It  was  the  desire  of  tl  e  Aldermen  in  charge  to  have  a  day  set 
apart  for  an  opening  of  the  building  to  the  inspection  of  the 
l)ul)li(',  with  dedicatory  ceremonies,  before  its  occupation  l)y  the 
Departments.  This  was  not  easy  of  accomplishment,  inasmnch 
as  the  htting  np  of  the  offi(;es — which  was  begun  before  the  con- 
ti'actors  were  entirely  through  with  their  labors — left  iio  period 
at  which  the  respective  rooms  were  in  a  presentable  condition. 
The  necessity  for  occupation  by  May  1  also  intei-fered,  and  there 
was  therefore  no  formal  dedication  of  the  building.  On  the  20th 
of  June,  1878,  the  work  being  completed,  the  rooms  fitted  up, 
the  signs  placed  in  position,  and  the  Departments  in  full  occupa- 
tion, the  i)ublic  were,  pursuant  to  aimouncement,  invited  to  in- 
spect the  building.  The  rooms  were  all  thrown  open  to  visitors 
from  9  A.  M.  to  9  P.  M.,  and  a  large  number  of  citizens  availed 
themselves  of  the  opportunity  of  examining  them  in  detail.  This 
opening,  occurring  several  weeks  after  the  building  had  I)een  in 
use  by  the  public,  did  not  attract  tiiat  interest  that  would  probji- 
bly  have  attached  to  it  at  an  earlier  <lay ;  but  the  commendations 
of  those  who  expressed  themselves  on  that  occasion  were  very 
gi-atifying. 

The  authority  conferred  l)y  the  Common  Council  to  permit  the 
occupniK;y  of  the  building  had  been  exercised,  and  all  the  Depart- 
ments, by  ])ermission  of  the  Aldermen  in  charge,  given  verbally 
from  time  to  time  by  the  Chairman  under  their  direction,  were  in 
full  occupation. 

On  the  4th  of  March  the  Common  Comicil  appointed  Stephen 
H.  PowF.LL,  keeper,  and  Chas.  C.  Conraddy,  assistant  keeper  of 
the  Municipal  Building  ;  also,  two  engineers  and  a  watchman. 
Subsequent  proceedings  of  the  Common  Council,  as  well  as  the 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAETMENT  BUILDING. 


12;} 


terms  of  the  charter  of  the  city,  caused  a  doubt  to  l)e  cast  n[>oii 
the  legality  of  these  appointments.  The  appointees,  however, 
continue  to  render  service,  though  at  this  time  no  payments  have 
been  made  on  account  thereof. 

The  Aldermen  in  cliarge  held  a  meeting  at  12:30  P.  M.  on  th(^ 
2()th  of  June,  and  resolved  to  ask  of  the  Common  Council  to  be 
discharged  from  tlie  further  consideration  of  the  subject  of  the 
new  building,  and  that  no  formal  dedication  ceremonies  be  had. 

AN  ACCIDENT. 

At  about  !t:;^5  A.  M.  on  Monday,  the  24th  of  June,  the  people 
in  and  around  tlie  IMuuicipal  Building,  were  startled  l)y  the  shock 
of  a  tremendous  explosion,  which  shook  not  only  the  building, 
but  the  City  Hall,  Court  House,  and  otlier  adjacent  structures. 
The  cause  of  the  concussion  was  the  explosion  of  gas  in  the  vault 
connected  with  the  Tax  Collector's  bill  room,  marked  on  the 
diagram  of  tlie  tirst  story  as  "  Room  No.  5,  Cash  Jiook  Room.'''' 
The  result  of  the  explosion  was  the  complete  demolition  of 
the  western  and  southern  walls  of  the  vault,  the  destruction  of 
a  portion  of  the  walnut  partition  between  the  vault  and  the 
clerks'  desks,  as  well  as  several  desks  and  chairs.  Nearly  every 
pane  of  glass  in  the  large  bill  room  was  broken,  and  closed 
doors  were  wrenched  from  their  fastenings  and  torn  in  pieces. 
The  effect  of  the  explosion  was  also  apparent  in  all  tlie  rooms 
adjoining  the  air  shaft,  which  was  dire(;tly  ovt^r  the  vault.  In 
the  Assessors'  room,  marked  "  Room  No.  25,"  on  second  story, 
the  sash  and  glass  in  the  air  shaft  were  blown  into  and  across  the 
room,  many  persons  narrowly  escaping  injury.  In  the  upper 
stories  the  damage  was  slight,  though  the  shock  was  so  severe  as 
to  break  glass  ballot  boxes  stored  on  the  top  floor. 


124 


MUNICIPAL  DEPARTMENT  BUILDING. 


The  cause  of  the  disaster,  so  far  as  lias  been  .ascertained  at  the 
publication  ot  this  re[)ort,  is  asfoHows:  A  man  in  the  employ 
of  the  contractor  i'or  the  pis  fixtures  in  the  building,  while 
making  some  alterations  on  tlie  third  floor,  on  the  Saturday  pre- 
vious, had  turned  off  the  gas  at  tiie  meter,  during  the  afternoon 
of  that  day,  turning  it  on  again  as  he  closed  his  labors  about  5  P. 
M.  At  tlic  time  of  thus  turning  off  the  gas  at  the  meter,  it  was 
bnrniiig  in  the  vault.  When  it  was  turned  on,  the  vault  had  been 
closed  for  tlie  day,  and  the  office  vacated.  'J'he  gas  thus  con- 
tinued to  escape  through  tlie  l»urners,  until  the  hours  of  opening 
on  IMonday  morning,  when  Hamilton  Keevl,  Jr.,  in  charge  of 
the  l)ill  room,  o])ened  the  vault,  and  entered  the  same  witli  a 
liglited  cigar  in  his  nioutli.  He  detected  no  uinisiud  odor,  nor  did 
otliei'  clerks  who  passed  in  and  out  of  the  vault  during  the  morning. 

At  tlu!  hour  nuMitioned,  Ulivkk  S.  Vincent,  a  searcher  in  the 
employ  of  A.  S.  Wheeler,  a  dealer  in  real  estate,  nuxde  applica- 
tion to  be  allowed  to  examine  a  book  in  the  vault.  Permission 
was  granted  by  Mr.  Thomas  D.  Mosscuoi',  Deputy  Collector,  who 
instructed  Wm.  F.  Coue,  stamp  clerk  in  the  tax  office,  to  accom- 
pany ]\Ir.  Vincent  to  the  vault,  that  being  the  custom. 

As  Mr.  Code  entered  the  vt^ult,  Mr.  Vincent  following  iiim, 
and  ])robably  at  the  entrance,  Mr.  Code  lighted  a  match  for  the 
])urpose  of  lighting  the  gas.  Instantly  there  was  a  terrific  explo- 
sion. ]\Ir.  Vincent  was  blown  against  and  through  the  walnut  ])ar- 
tition  and  across  the  room,  liishead  striking  the  wall  opposite,about 
thirty  feet  from  the  vault  door,  nearly  evei*y  particle  of  clothiiig  be- 
ing torn  from  his  body,  which  was  severely  burned.  .  Innnediately 
after  the  flash  of  the  explosion  the  walls  of  the  vault  bulged  out 
and  fell,  burying  Mr.  Code  in  the  ruins.  Other  occupants  of  the 
room  were  IjIowii  down,  stujined,  and  some  of  them  slightly  in- 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAKTMENT  BUILDING. 


125 


jnred  by  the  flyiin;-  fiiniitiirc,  which  was  pcattered  tliroughuut  tlie 
room.  All  alarm  of  tire  was  raised,  but  tlie  few  burning  papers 
were  s]>eedily  extiiiguislied.  As  soon  as  possible  Code  was  extri- 
cated from  the  lieap  of  brick,  and  fmnd  U>  be  seriously  injured, 
though  alive,  and  likely  to  recover.  Vincknt  was  insensil)le,  and 
for  a  time  ap])eared  to  be  dead.  Vitality  remaining,  he  was  re- 
moved to  St  Peter's  Hospital,  where  he  died  during  the  night. 
]\Iany  of  tlie  clerks  had  narrow  esca])es  from  death  or  serious 
injur J. 

The  damage  to  the  building  was  purely  local,  though  the  vio- 
lence of  the  shock  was  so  great  as  to  alarm  every  ])erson  in  the 
entire  building  a!id  for  a  large  area  around  the  scene  of  the  dis- 
aster. The  integrity  of  tlie  structure  was  not  disturbed.  Beyond 
a  cracking  of  a  few  of  the  fireproof  partitions  in  innnediate 
vicinity  of  the  air  .shafts  tlie  walls  remained  perfectly  firm.  Had 
they  been  otherwise  tiian  of  the  best  material,  properly  construct- 
ed, the  damage  to  life  and  ])roperty  would  have  been  severe. 

His  Honor  Mayor  James  Howell  and  Collector  James  Tanner 
were  ])romptly  on  the  spot,  and  ordered  every  i-elief  that  could 
be  afforded  the  sutferei's.  The  jNIayor  directeil  the  Board  of 
City  Works  to  promptly  proceed  to  repair  the  damage  and  re- 
build the  vault.  In  a  half  an  hour  from  the  ex[)losion  laborers 
were  busily  at  woi'k  removing  the  (/Sr/'s,  and  the  employes  of 
John  Fallon,  carpentei- :  W.  T.  L.VMit,  Jr.,  mason,  and  Wm. 
ScHWAKTZWELDEH,  furniture,  were,  in  a  brief  space  of  time,  re- 
constructing the  damaged  portions. 


126 


MUNICIPAL  DEPAKTMENT  BUILDING. 


ACCEPT ANC?:. 
In  piirsiiiince  ot"  tlie  (letunniiiutiuii  betbi'c  iiH'iitioncd,  Aid. 
French,  oh  the  lUtli  of  .Imu!,  1878,  presented  tlie  following  to 
the  Coiunioji  Council.  The  resohition  attached  thereto  was 
uiuininionsly  adopted,  and  was  approved  l>y  the  Mayor  on  the 
20th  of  June. 

To  the  Jlottofdhh  the  Coniinon  Conned  : 
Gentlemen  : 

The  Aldermen  in  charge  of  coiistiMictinn  of  the  ]Miinici]>al 
Department  Building,  respectfully  submit  that  they  luive  per- 
formed the  duty  assigned  them  in  the  manner  fully  set  forth  in 
the  i-eport  herewith  presented,  and  ask  the  adoption  of  the 
following  : 

Jiesolved,   That  the  Common    Council    hereby   accepti-.  the 
Municipal  r)ei)artment  I^uihling  from  the  Aldermen  in  charge 
of  constru<-tion,  and  that  said  Aldermen  are  herel)y  discharged 
from  the  further  consideration  of  the  subject. 
JOHN  l  EENCH,  1 

F.  ]}.  FISHER,  I  Aldenneii  in  Char</e 

GEO.  W.  WILLIAMS,  }  of 
.1  OH  N  1)R  E  YER,  Can  .struct; on . 

DANIEL  O'REILLY. 
BuooKj.vN,  June  ^4,  1878. 

In  cunncction  witli  the  foregoing.  Aid.  James  T.  Easton 
offered  the  following,  which  was  unanimously  adopted  : 

Ueaolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Common  Council  be  and  the 
same  are  herel)y  tendered  to  the  S])ecial  Connnittee  on  Con- 
struction of  New  Municipal  Building  for  the  able  and  conscien- 
tious manner  in  which  they  have  performed  theii-  very  arduous 
and  deh'cate  duties. 


t 


